So this is it! This is the year you’re not dealing with all the hassle of traveling and will be making Thanksgiving dinner for yourself and a few friends. Good for you! Despite all the drama you’ve witnessed throughout your life surrounding Thanksgiving dinner it’s really not terribly difficult to prepare if you’re sensible. IfContinue reading “Some Tips on Cooking Thanksgiving Dinner for the First Time”
Category Archives: Kitchen essentials
Herb Butter – Kitchen Essential
Herb butter. Compound butter. Hotel butter. No matter what you call it, it’s one of the easiest items you can make and add to your kitchen essentials cupboard. It’s also a good example of how a simple uncomplicated item can have tremendous effects on anything you cook. Finish off your vegetables with it, plop aContinue reading “Herb Butter – Kitchen Essential”
Homemade Gnocchi – It’s Taken a While but I Finally Did It
Ah gnocchi. When gnocchi is made right they are like light and airy pillows; when made wrong like heavy and dense globs of potato. They are one of Cheryl’s favorite foods and always in the running if we’re at an Italian restaurant and gnocchi is on the menu. Gnocchi are made with the simplest ingredients,Continue reading “Homemade Gnocchi – It’s Taken a While but I Finally Did It”
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!)”
Kitchen essentials – Demi-glace
Still back home visiting but I crafted this entry before leaving when I realized the only “essential” I’ve mentioned is truffle salt. If you’ve read any of Anthony Bourdain’s books you know he is a big proponent of demi-glace. Traditionally it’s made with veal stock and sauce espagnole and reduced. Making some can be aContinue reading “Kitchen essentials – Demi-glace”
I Love My Panini Press
A long time ago I bought something from Williams-Sonoma which of course put me on their email list. One day I received an email from them about a big sale on a Breville panini press. It was pretty heavily discounted so I bought it. One of my most favorite purchases. Plug it in and whileContinue reading “I Love My Panini Press”
Kitchen Essentials – Truffle Salt
Every home cook and professional chef has their own favorite ingredient, spice, seasoning, etc. For me the one must have ingredient I always make sure is in the cupboard is truffle salt. It’s great with anything on eggs, meats, in sauces, on popcorn, with potatoes, risotto, macaroni and cheese, and pasta. You’d be hard pressedContinue reading “Kitchen Essentials – Truffle Salt”
The Roaming GastroGnome 