For many years, I’ve made Italian-style chicken cacciatore and was always happy with the results. However, I recently came across a recipe that was much better than any chicken cacciatore I’ve made before. It’s a recipe from Chris Bianco, James Beard Award-winning chef and owner of the much-lauded Pizzeria Bianco in Phoenix. His cookbook titled simply Bianco: Pizza, Pasta, and … [Read more...]
Air Fryer Shoestring Fries
For my monthly air fryer recipe, I thought I’d include air fryer shoestring fries this time since they are so easy to make and almost fat-free. Ingredients: 1-2 Russet potatoes, depending on the size of your air fryer basket Vegetable oil Sea salt Freshly cracked black pepper (optional) Method Using a mandolin or V-slicer, cut the potatoes into … [Read more...]
Black Pepper Chicken
This simple recipe is an adaptation of one of Food & Wine’s most popular recipes - one of their 40 Best. Caramelized chicken melds with Vietnamese flavors in this delicious, sweet & spicy dish that cooks in a mere matter of minutes. Ingredients: 1/2 cup dark brown sugar 1/4 cup nam pla (fish sauce) 1/4 cup water 3 Tbsp rice vinegar 1 tsp. minced … [Read more...]
Ma-Po Tofu Noodles
Ma-po (or ma po or mapo) tofu is a signature dish of Chinese Sichuan cuisine, but it’s quite easy to make at home. Ma-po tofu is typically served with white rice. However, I decided to change things up a bit and make it with noodles. Since my wife is gluten free, I used Thai rice noodles, but you could use whatever type of noodle you prefer. Ingredients: 1 package (1 … [Read more...]
Sausage with White Beans
One of my most memorable meals ever was a rustic lunch at a roadside bistro in Provence, France -- a green salad with poached egg and lardons, and a main course of sausage with white beans; so simple, yet so delicious. Here is my version of the main dish. You could use any type of sausage, and just about any kind of bean, too. So, feel free to experiment with the ingredients … [Read more...]
Ham Fried Rice
Discovering some leftover holiday ham while digging through our freezer this week I was puzzling about what to do with it for a quick and easy dinner. Fried rice! I thought. The key to making great fried rice is to cook the rice ahead of time (or use leftover rice) to allow it to dry out a bit so it doesn’t clump. Ingredients: Cooked long-grain white rice — 1 1/2 cups … [Read more...]
Tortellini with Peas & Prosciutto
Using store bought tortellini is the basis for this rich, creamy pasta dish that is very quick and easy to make. I’ve never made it for anyone who didn’t love it. Ingredients: 2 Tbsp unsalted butter 1 shallot, peeled & minced 1 garlic clove, peeled & minced 1 cup whipping cream 1/4 lb. thinly sliced prosciutto, julienned 1/2 cup peas, fresh or … [Read more...]
Rice Pilaf with Raisins & Cardamom
In last week’s Scheff’s Table I shared my favorite recipe for roasted chicken with cardamom. Well, here is an excellent side dish recipe for raisin and cardamom rice pilaf that would go great with the roasted chicken or many other main dishes. Ingredients: 1 1/2 Tbsp canola or vegetable oil 1 tsp. ground cardamom 1 tsp. salt 1 small onion, peeled & minced … [Read more...]
Roasted Cardamom Chicken
I love the taste of cardamom, which is very complex with citrus, herbal, floral and spicy notes. It’s delicious in an easy-to-prepare dish like this one: roasted chicken with a cardamom coating. Ingredients: 2 bone-in chicken leg & thigh quarters or 4 chicken leg or thigh pieces 1 Tbsp vegetable or canola oil Ground cardamom Salt ¼ tsp. … [Read more...]
Crispy Air Fryer Cod
It’s that time again, time for my monthly air fryer recipe installment. This month we’re tackling air fryer fish. The key to any “fried” fish is to give it a crispy, crusty coating, so we’re going to use both flour and panko bread crumbs to achieve that goal. I find that cutting the fish into smaller “tenders” - as opposed to cooking whole fillets - helps to keep the fish … [Read more...]