Supermarket butter isn't bland by accident; our dairy industry is rewarded for making the most flavorless product possible. Which is why this recipe for homemade cultured butter (ripped from the headlines of the New York Times) is such an exciting discovery. Margaret Visser's Much Depends on Dinner (1989) explains the USDA's butter grading system. Not surprisingly flavor is … [Read more...]
GIARDINIERA FANTASIA
You know those big jars of vegetables you see in Italian markets and gourmet stores? With the onions, carrots, peppers and other gifts of the gardens tightly packed and neatly layered? That pretty relish they call Giardiniera, or verdura sotto aceti? So simple, mixed pickled vegetables packed into jars -- how hard can that be? Far harder than one might imagine. So … [Read more...]
Beach Plum Jelly – Reduced Sugar Recipe
It's been a banner year for wild beach plums. We returned to Maidstone Beach up in Springs where the pickin' was easy, more so than ever. In this case foraging seems too austere a word to call harvesting nature's wild bounty. The bushes were laden with plump plums. Clear sky, gentle breeze, boats on the bay, perfect. We gathered twice the amount of beach plums in half the time … [Read more...]
Best Way to Peel Asparagus: The Elusive Two-Bladed Peeling Tongs
The very best asparagus peeler of all time is, alas, not readily available here in the United States of America. And we call this the greatest country on earth. Ha! The beauty of this German-made number is the opposing peeling blades facing each other on the inside of a pair of tongs. Hold the asparagus stem near to top end, gently clamp down on the stalk with the tongs and … [Read more...]
MEET THE CHEFS AT KIPS BAY SHOW HOUSE WITH KITCHENAID AND HOUSE BEAUTIFUL
Haute cuisine meets high design at the Kips Bay Decorator Show House, where House Beautiful is teaming up with KitchenAid to host a series of innovative culinary events with renowned chefs throughout the month of May in the stunning Christopher Peacock-designed kitchen at the famed show house. KitchenAid is the exclusive kitchen appliance sponsor of this year’s show house. … [Read more...]
CARROT FLOWERS DELUXE
The new How to Make Carrot Flowers (part 2) video is the sequel to our first How To Make Carrot Flowers. This Youtube video has received nearly a half million views. Lots of people like it. This idea for these groovy blossoms was served up on a plate in Paris. Literally -- at a small bistro the rim of the dinner plates were decorated with a halo of happy carrot disks, as … [Read more...]
TRUFFLED ROAST CHICKEN: EASY AT HOME SOUS-VIDE COOKING
Recently I've been told "Sorry I didn't call you sooner, it was a 15 hour flight from Honolulu and I was totally beat." And, "The snow in Paris was terrible, I had to stay two extra days." Ah, the brag complaint. The pity me/envy me over the hassle of having to drive all the way to New Jersey to get the oil changed on the Lamborghini. Or the double whammy of worrying … [Read more...]
10 BEST GIFTS FOR COOKS
Here are our favorite foodie gifts with easy links to purchase. But whatever you might be shopping for make this Christmas extra-special (for SpecD that is) and always enter Amazon.com via the ad link on the right hand side of this page. 1. Paderno Stainless Steel Truffle Shaver ($46) -- although one might not often have the pleasure of blizzards of truffle slivers … [Read more...]
BREAKING NEWS: PROVOLETTA PANS NOW AVAILABLE IN USA!
Remember Provoletta, the Melted Cheese of Argentina? The prized Argentinian provoletta pan shown in my post is now available for sale here in America on www.quesalera.com (telephone 530-894-5252)! Order now in time for Christmas delivery! Therefore, seeking medical assistance to attain prescription would satisfy the statement that this is secure for health. cialis … [Read more...]
PUMPKIN SPAETZLE
Do you love the taste of pumpkin? Is it a yummy treat you look forward to all year long? When you scan the groaning board of Thanksgiving desserts, do you pass by the pecan pies, the cheesecakes, the maple this and apple that, zeroing in on the cracked-custard tops of the pumpkin pies? If your answer is yes, you are in Group A. A's need read no further! Click here for the … [Read more...]