Turns out early summer isn't such a bad time to join Weight Watchers. Facing the somewhat grim regimen of Points, Power Foods and vanishing carbs is easier when fresh produce (for the unlimited fruits and vegetables the program allows) comes into abundance. These pea shoots were on offer at an East Hampton farm stand. The guy said they would make a nice pesto. True … [Read more...]
MEXICAN CHORIZO
For cooks who enjoy process and transformation, leisurely, at-home sausage making can make for a very satisfying afternoon's work. This Mexican chorizo recipe is a delicious example. Not to be confused with Spanish chorizo, which is a cured sausage, dense, dark, and hard, Mexican chorizo is a fresh pork sausage spiked with chiles, cumin and coriander. A generous dose of … [Read more...]
CUPOLA di BUCATINI / PASTA DOME RECIPE
Frequent readers will know that Spectacularly Delicious has a fondness for tall food. From croquembouche pyramids to kugelhopf ziggurats, the peaks of Mont Blancs to tumbling cascades of lobster, we take the "haute" in haute cuisine very seriously. That goes for alta cucuina as well. The arching swell of Spec D's Pasta al Duomo is joined by another architectural marvel: … [Read more...]
ASPARAGUS FESTIVAL / ASPARAGUS SALMON PENNE RECIPE
While the news from asparagus growers in the northeast might be grim, the forecast is sunny for asparagus farmers in California's San Joaquin Valley. The glory of the green stems was on full view at the recent 29th Annual Stockton Asparagus Festival. The festival celebrates all things asparagus from the educational (growing beds and long handled harvesting knives) to the … [Read more...]
“LOOKING” FOR PERI PERI CHICKEN
The season finale of Looking, HBO's new gay-boys-in-San Francisco show, left fans hanging. Was it a bad career move for Patrick (Jonathan Groff) to have sex with his boss? Can Agustin (Franki J. Álvarez) reverse his downward spiral of drugs, escorts and tacky art? (A unicorn!) What's up with Lynn (Scott Bakula) and Dom (Murray Barlett)? Are they just investor and protegé -- or … [Read more...]
RISOTTO VESUVIUS
The inspiration for Risotto Vesuvius comes from Bella Piatti in Birmingham, MI. My friend and fellow gastronome Lisa L. and I were coming in from the Detroit airport, both ravenous. Like any sensible person we checked out the restaurant's menu online. Never have I been more certain of what I was going to order when I arrived: a sinister-looking plate of their "Risotto Mt. … [Read more...]
Steak au Poivre Alex Hitz
My new issue of House Beautiful fell open to Alex's Kitchen and his recipe for Steak au Poivre. I took it as a sign from the heavens and the angels did sing when these steaks hit the table. Oh my they were good. I'm a big fan of Alex Hitz recipes and his My Beverly Hills Kitchen cookbook. His food is flavor-packed and usually rather showy which is right up Spectacularly … [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...]
PASTA PRIMAVERA: AUTHENTIC AND OTHERWISE
Culinary purists and in-the-know gourmands maintain that the popular dish Pasta Primavera isn't an "authentic" Italian recipe. Quotations because when all is said and done, what really constitutes authenticity? Pasta Primavera was birthed in this country by the esteemed Italian food authority and cookbook author Ed Giobbi. He's Italian. He's an expert. His recipe … [Read more...]
IMO’S PIZZA
Best pizza ever? Arguable. Best thing to come out of St. Louis since Tina Turner? Probably. The very essence of nostalgia? Unquestionably. Sheer heaven in a greasy cardboard box. This crisp, thin crust pizza with molten Provel cheese topping is like no other. This same active ingredient is present in the popular erectile dysfunction medication for curing this problem … [Read more...]