Though you've often heard me rail against food-fads I confess I too have feet of clay. The siren song of the abattoir compounded by sibling rivalry instigated by my brother Kevin's Christmas triumph of home-cured and smoked bacon, grilled over hot colds in thick, sizzling slices was too much … [Read more...]
ROCK SHRIMP DE JONGHE: GOURMET RECIPE
As I am heading off to Chicago for a fun-filled weekend tomorrow, what better time to share this recipe for Rock Shrimp DeJonghe? The pedigree seems uncontested: born in the kitchens of DeJonghe's Hotel and Restaurant, a Belle Époque-era Chicago mainstay owned by the Belgian immigrant DeJonghe brothers. Didn't you expect DeJonghe to … [Read more...]
SEA URCHIN SOUFFLE: GOURMET RECIPE
This Jeremiah Tower recipe for Sea Urchin Soufflé made its debut in a blaze of glory this weekend and immediately claimed a place among our quintessentially Spectacularly Delicious signature dishes, alongside such triumphs as Kugelhopf Surprise, Paella Negra, Aebleskivers and Nachos Olga. Like any good parent, I love … [Read more...]
VENISON QUESADILLA — ORIGINAL RECIPE SSD#3
Tortilla + cheese + heat = Quesadilla. Pretty hard to get yourself in trouble with this equation. Of course few people stop at cheese only. Peppers, salsa, chorizo, scallions, avocado, lobster... anything goes -- Wheee! Still, this particular venison quesadilla recipe is a little bit renegade. Unexpected and unquestionably Simply … [Read more...]
HONEY BROILED GRAPEFRUIT: SSD RECIPE #1
With Honey Broiled Grapefruit comes the launch of SSD -- Simply Spectacularly Delicious. This category is reserved for glorious concoctions that don't merit full-blown "recipe" status (the recipe in the headline is for SEO purposes). When the title of the dish is pretty much the recipe I think there are other books and websites better … [Read more...]
CRAB RANGOON: ORIGINAL GOURMET RECIPE
Welcome back old friend. This recipe for Crab Rangoon transports one back to the glory days of Trader Vic's and all its progeny spread across America like the Polynesian archipelago itself. I was always one to pooh pooh the pu pu platter -- a hit or miss gamble and always too few Crab Rangoons. A full order or two is the de rigueur commencement of an ersatz tropical … [Read more...]
BAY SCALLOP GRATINS: A SCALLOPALOOZA OF FIVE FABULOUS RECIPES
For we lucky East Enders bay scallop season is still in full swing. Sweet, fresh, innocent and tender, get 'em while you can folks. Freshly shucked with a pinch of salt and a dribble of citrus is a great way to go. But why stop there? Time to start thinking about using these cuties in more substantial preparations, adding a little heft. Why not go … [Read more...]
SCALLOPS ON THE HALF SHELL
Who could say no to fresh, sweet bay scallops served on the half shell? Ones plucked from the clean clear waters of the Peconic Bay that very morning, proudly sold by the shy 10 year-old boy who'd dredged up his impressive haul from his father's boat? Not I! In addition to a container of freshly shucked (but not … [Read more...]
THE BEST THANKSGIVING RECIPES FROM SPECTACULARLY DELICIOUS
As the big day approaches, here's a quick guide to some of the best Spectacularly Delicious Thanksgiving-appropriate recipes. Make them yourself or assign them to the "Is there anything I can bring?" Less work for daddy and happiness all around. Start out with the new Brussels Sprouts Hash with Bacon recipe. Even if you can't get to a fresh … [Read more...]
AUTUMN POMEGRANATE SALAD
This autumn pomegranate salad recipe is one of those is-it-really-a-recipe? dishes. Really, it's just as much a shopping list as a how-to. Because at this point pretty much everyone has the salad concept figured out. Get nice tasty and fresh stuff you like to eat, cut it up, mix it up, pour a dressing over everything (nine times out of 10 a … [Read more...]