Teetotalers and designated drivers need not miss out on holiday fun in the drinks department. Vinegars infused with fruits and herbs make for lively and delicious celebratory libations. Variously known as Drinking Vinegars and Shrubs, these infused vinegars are balanced with sugar or a simple syrup and then mixed with sparkling water. The flavored vinegar base is potent … [Read more...]
BLACK WALNUT FRUITCAKE
Whether living with a year-round hunger for rich, dark cake studded with nuts and colorful candied fruit or perhaps driven by resentment and remorse over sub-par fruitcakes of Christmases past, this updated version of our fruitcake recipe is a winner. Our "Mrs. Marino's" recipe gets an infusion of black walnuts from the Missouri Ozarks, the epicenter of North American black … [Read more...]
BLACK WALNUT FRUITCAKE RECIPE
BLACK WALNUT FRUITCAKE Recipe MIX TOGETHER AND LET STAND OVERNIGHT: 1 lb. golden raisins 1 c. chopped dates 2 c. candied fruit (mix of cherries, orange peel, lemon peel, citron) 1 c. cognac THE NEXT DAY, SIFT TOGETHER: 5 c. flour 2 t. cinnamon 1 t. nutmeg 1 t. ground cloves ½ t. salt ½ t. baking powder WITH A MIXER CREAM UNTIL SMOOTH AND FLUFFY: 1 ½ … [Read more...]
PROVEL CHEESE QUESADILLA WITH EGGS
To me, Christmas means a return to the bosom of family in St. Louis. And as a native of that fair city, St. Louis means many things, not the least of which is Provel Cheese. Actually, to be completely accurate, it's Provel processed cheese food product. It's a fundamental component of St. Louis cuisine right along with toasted ravioli, Ted Drewe's frozen custard, baked … [Read more...]
WILD BLUEBERRY MANGO JAM
The secret to this blueberry jam recipe (and there's always a secret to the good ones) is not the mango. What kind of secret is that? No, the little something that make this jam mighty are mites of coriander and cinnamon. In this small quantity they boost the natural spice of the blueberries without making the jam taste "funny." No one really likes these kind of surprises, … [Read more...]
Deviled Eggs with Smoked Trout Roe
Not all the art at Art Basel in Miami Beach was hung on walls. This delightful duet of deviled eggs was served up at Yardbird on 16th Street. The creamy yolks were gently spicy, the trout roe topper nice and smokey and salty and a little bit fishy in a good way. These were not made in the Spectacularly Delicious test kitchens. But when we do try them, this is what we'll … [Read more...]
PIEDMONTESE LOBSTER RAVIOLI
One of New York's lesser known treasures: Piedmontese Ravioli on Broome St. in Little Italy. Made fresh daily. Totally old school. Amazing flavors and varieties. (And shockingly reasonable prices.) Here are their lobster ravioli, regular recipe and tomato basil. These will also be temporary results and often disappear completely as ordine cialis on line soon as you … [Read more...]
CHRISTMAS RELISH: PEAR, POMEGRANATE, PEPPERS AND CRANBERRIES
Embarking on the creation of the ruby red Christmas relish I must confess the red food coloring wasn't out of reach. (Making icings for the holidays.) But lo and behold, this rubicund relish needed no supplement coloring agents. The recipe calls for red pears, red onions, red pepper (fresh and dried), cranberries, pomegranates and a mix of dried dried cherries and … [Read more...]
TIRAMISU
I jumped at the invitation to a Lavazza coffee party with special guest Debi Mazur. Many moons ago I did PR for Bumble + bumble hair salon where young Debi M (as she styled herself then) was a rising star beautician. Her path led to celebrity and stardom, to Goodfellas and Entourage. The downtown It Girl who was Madonna's best friend and Pee Wee Herman's girlfriend. And now … [Read more...]
CLAMS CASINO ROYALE
While steaming clams open is the easiest way to make Clams Casino, shucking raw clams and cooking them only as long as it takes to brown the bread crumbs and bacon is the best method. The true, authentic, delicious Clams Casino. Why royale? because freshly shucked clams are a rarity worthy of royals, heads of state and other notable worthies. CLAMS CASINO ROYALE Recipe 1 … [Read more...]