Ruminations on a snowy afternoon lead us to this cozy Cherries in the Snow recipe. The Spectacularly Delicious version takes the classic Île Flottante as its starting point, islands of snow drifts afloat a pond frothy crème Anglaise. But hold the caramel -- it's Presidents' Day weekend so in honor of George's birthday this breezy dessert is topped with sweetened (and … [Read more...]
CARA CARA PINEAPPLE MARMALADE
Cara Cara oranges take their name from their Venezuelan birthplace, Hacienda Cara Cara. These plump, seedless pink-on-the-inside oranges have a sweet tang and a heady fragrance uncannily reminiscent of a grade school cafeteria. A winter-only citrus treat, jam makers would are wise to lay in a store of Cara Cara marmalade now. Why pineapple you ask? This tropical mash-up … [Read more...]
Perfect White Rice Recipe
From Mary Urrutia Randalman's "Memories of a Cuban Kitchen" Method: Bring the rice, water, oil and salt to a boil over high heat and boil until all the water has been absorbed and small craters form on it. Then and only then cover the rice and let it finish cooking over low heat. If you have never prepared rice this way and you are intimidated by Uncle Ben you will be … [Read more...]
CUBAN PICADILLO RECIPE
Cuban Picadillo Recipe olive oil 1 large onion, chopped 1 green bell pepper, seed and chopped 4 cloves of garlic, finely chopped 2 lbs. ground sirloin 1/2 c. dry sherry 1 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes 1 bay leaf s&p 1 T. Worcestershire sauce 1 t. Tabasco sauce 1 Idaho potato cooking oil for frying 1/2 cup raisins 1 package frozen baby peas, thawed 1/2 c. … [Read more...]
RECIPE: TRUFFLED ROAST CHICKEN EASY AT-HOME SOUS-VIDE RECIPE
Note: This sous-vide recipe has a 5 hour cooking time. Tools needed: Extra large cast iron pot Candy/baking thermometer (not instant read) Truffle slicer Large (1 gal.) Ziploc bag cooking twine Ingredients: 1 oz. black summer truffles 2 T. white truffle oil 1 t. truffle salt black pepper 5 lb. whole chicken Fill a heavy, large cast pot 3/4 with water. Place … [Read more...]
NAPPEAGUE HARBOR BAY SCALLOPS
Here in 'Merica bay scallops are pristine little nuggets void of any traces of the biological necessities of digestive or reproductive systems.* Fresh, sweet, and innocent, bay scallops are the polar opposite of the mysterious nimbus of oyster innards or the marginally gruesome black skins one need pull from the necks of steamers. Of all the delicious bivalves only scallops … [Read more...]
LOBSTER CASCADE WITH OYSTERS A LA RUSSE IMPERIAL
This magnificent Lobster Cascade centerpiece rising from a platter of Oysters à la Russe Impérial is lifted directly from TV's classiest soap opera, Downton Abbey. Poor Lady Edith, jilted bride, humiliated and bed-bound with despair, bleakly regards a spinster's future. Whilst recognition of her reduced status tearfully dawns, staff scurry to erase all traces of the annihilated … [Read more...]
OYSTERS A LA RUSSE IMPERIAL
OYSTERS A LA RUSSE IMPERIAL Recipe 2 doz. fresh oysters on the half shell 2 plum tomatoes 2 scallions, minced (white and green) juice of 1 lemon 1 T. horseradish 1/4 t. Tabasco 1/4 t. sugar splash of vodka s&p Susan Sarfati, CEO of G.W.S.A.E., said "we need to create 'safe harbors,' places that encourage courageous, open, and honest exchanges where people can … [Read more...]
MEYER LEMON AND CLEMENTINE MARMALADE
A while back an unexpected cardboard box from San Francisco arrived just before Christmas. Inside was a passel of humongous Dungeness crabs on ice which were promptly transformed into the Silver Palate's sublime crab mousse. Filling out the shipment was a bunch of large Meyer lemons plucked from my friend's small backyard on the sloping hills of the Mission neighborhood. (I … [Read more...]
THE TRIUMPH OF GLUTTONY
Could there ever be a more tantalizing recipe name than Triumph of Gluttony cake? I think not. Director Luchino Visconti's 1963 classic The Leopard stars Bert Lancaster as Don Fabrizio Corbera, Prince of Salina; Claudia Cardinale plays Anglica, a maiden so ripe she practically exudes sweet juices from her heaving bosom, and studly bad boy aristocrat Tancredi is brought to … [Read more...]