Peter – The Roaming GastroGnome – Page 9

Getting Ready for Thanksgiving – Some Side Dish Ideas

Thanksgiving is a week away so you better start thinking about your menu! There are certain things you know you’re going to have, like a turkey, but for the most part you get a free range with your sides. Cheryl and I have been doing Thanksgiving together for eight years now and we’re always tryingContinue reading “Getting Ready for Thanksgiving – Some Side Dish Ideas”

Nduja – Taking The Next Step on The Path of Charcuterie

I am very excited about this week’s post. The first time we ate nduja was years ago at The Purple Pig here in Chicago and neither of us knew what it was, except that it was really fricking awesome. It’s a Calabrian sausage (toe of the Italian boot) and it is spicy! Spreadable, you canContinue reading “Nduja – Taking The Next Step on The Path of Charcuterie”

Sautéed Pumpkin and Chestnuts

Pumpkins have been filling up our CSA box here at the end of the season, and aside from pureed soups and pies what else can you do with them? Well, pumpkin is squash so you can treat it just like any other squash by roasting, mashing, or sautéing. This week I came across an interestingContinue reading “Sautéed Pumpkin and Chestnuts”

Spice Club from Savory Spice and Coffee Spiced Sausage Rigatoni

As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, I purchase my spices and herbs from a shop in Lincoln Square called Savory Spice. Last week I received an email from the store’s owner, Dave, asking if I’d be interested in taking a look at a new program they were introducing called Spice Club. Sounded very interesting, especiallyContinue reading “Spice Club from Savory Spice and Coffee Spiced Sausage Rigatoni”

Vellutata de Ceci (Chick Pea Soup) – Tuscan Vacation Inspiration

A few weeks ago, on our last day in San Gimignano, we ate lunch at a small place just off the main piazza called Osteria del Carcere. Despite being just down the street from where all the tourists congregate and queue up for gelato (there’s an award-winning gelateria in San Gimignano) the osteria seemed ratherContinue reading “Vellutata de Ceci (Chick Pea Soup) – Tuscan Vacation Inspiration”

San Gimignano and the Via Francigena, Travel Post Part 2

Hard to believe Cheryl and I were in San Gimignano going for a hike on the Via Francigena just a week ago. Seems like it was longer than that. What is it about vacation weeks moving too fast and work weeks taking forever? We covered the first part of our Tuscan holiday in my lastContinue reading “San Gimignano and the Via Francigena, Travel Post Part 2”

Roaming Around Tuscany – Travel Post, Part 1

It’s been 4 years since the last time we were in Italy. Waaaaay too long for me, so all year long whenever Cheryl asked ‘where would you like to travel next?’ I said ‘Italy.’ Every. Time. It seems to have worked because here we are in San Gimignano, Tuscany. Not that I really had toContinue reading “Roaming Around Tuscany – Travel Post, Part 1”

Poulet Normande – Because It’s Fall

As the calendar flips to October I feel it is time to start cooking more regularly in the kitchen. This week, in celebration of kicking off fall menus, I decided to make a simple one pot dinner: Poulet Normande, or Chicken Normandy. A delicious, early fall dinner to help warm up the now chilly nights.

Curry Brat Currywurst for Oktoberfest

It’s that time of year again…Oktoberfest! Beer, pretzels, sausage. I don’t know if currywurst is a traditional Oktoberfest dish but it is for Cheryl and me. It’s one of our favorite German festival foods and I make some for our Oktoberfest party. This year I’m putting a spin on the currywurst with a new sausage:Continue reading “Curry Brat Currywurst for Oktoberfest”

Lemon and Ricotta Cheese Tart

Last week we were on vacation in Colorado, and if you’re like me you pick up a magazine or two at the airport for the flight. When we headed back to Chicago on Sunday I bought one of my traveling go-to magazines: Food & Wine. In it was a recipe for ricotta cheese and sourContinue reading “Lemon and Ricotta Cheese Tart”