When it comes to comfort food it’s hard to top meatloaf with mashed potatoes and gravy. But I did my best. Turned out rather well, and it only took two weeks to make!
What? Two weeks? Well, yes. I had to cure the bacon. While the bacon was curing I had to make the ketchup. And [...]

Categories: entrée, mother recipe, mushroom, supper
Tagged: entrée, mother recipe, mushroom, supper

Usually I avoid a complicated combination of multiple recipes in one post, but everything except the rub I put on the sirloin was made from scratch in class last Sunday so it certainly can be done in one post. Besides, the people attending the class insisted that I post it.
First, the rub. I created this [...]

Categories: Lunch, beef, condiments, entertaining, entrée, salad, searing, supper, technique
Tagged: condiments, entertaining, entrée, Lunch, main course, salad, supper, technique

Is it really Tuscan? No, but it has flavors I think of when I think of Tuscany: lemon, rosemary, olive oil.
This is a simple preparation. Rub olive oil into the steak, then sprinkle on some freshly ground pepper (I used a blend of tellicherry black, malabar white, and pink peppercorns), sea salt, rosemary (fresh from [...]

Categories: Lunch, beef, dairy-free, entrée, gluten-free, supper
Tagged: beef, dairy-free, entrée, gluten-free, Lunch, main course, supper

Spaghetti Carbonara is a relatively recent addition to Italian cuisine. The sauce varies regionally within Italy as well as by country, and the pasta isn’t firmly traditional either.
Apparently the original sauce was made with guanciale, black pepper, pecorino romano, and eggs. Pancetta and bacon are commonly substituted for the guanciale, and parmigiano-reggiano for the pecorino (or [...]

Categories: eggs, entrée, pasta, sauce, supper
Tagged: entrée, main course, pasta, sauce, supper

If you’ve never made egg pasta, it really isn’t as hard as you might think. It may not be as easy as Mario Batali makes it look on Iron Chef America, but it’s easy nonetheless.

Categories: eggs, entrée, mother recipe, pasta, technique
Tagged: entrée, main course, mother recipe, pasta, supper, technique

I needed a meal for four. I had chicken for two, veal shanks for two, and absolutely no desire to go to the store. A look into the pantry revealed potatoes and carrots. I had what I needed for a stew!

Categories: beef, braising, chicken, dairy-free, entrée, poultry, stock, supper, technique, veal
Tagged: chicken, dairy-free, entrée, main course, mushroom, one-pot meals, stock, supper, technique

Cooking en papillote is an easy do-ahead preparation that is virtually foolproof, and it’s a fabulous way to impress guests! Children also enjoy being able to rip open the little present you’ve left on their plates.
Start by removing the pin bones from the fish if it has any. Lay out a sheet of parchment paper. [...]

Categories: entertaining, entrée, fish, seafood, technique
Tagged: entertaining, entrée, fish, main course, one-pot meals, seafood, technique

Prosciutto is matched with riesling-poached pears in an easy but spectacular savoury crostata that will be the star at your next brunch.

Categories: entrée, pastry
Tagged: crostata, entrée, fruit, pastry, tart

A leftover roast chicken is in the refrigerator, it’s time for lunch. What should I do?

Categories: Lunch, chicken, entrée, mushroom, pasta
Tagged: chicken, entrée, Lunch, main course, mushroom, pasta

Risotto is among the best comfort foods and it only requires simple techniques and ingredients. A bit of porcini and pancetta, some truffle, and a glass of chianti. It’s comfort food at its best!

Categories: entrée, mushroom, risotto, supper
Tagged: entrée, main course, mushroom, pancetta, porcini, rice, risotto, supper