For many of our kids and for some adults as well, it's the back-to-school season. And for those of us who enjoy cooking and learning new skills and recipes, fall is a good time to get back behind the stove after a summer of grilling and barbecues. Here are five terrific new cookbooks for the home cook, including one for teens. Cook Like a Local: Flavors That Can Change How … [Read more...]
Scheff’s Table – Avocado Mash for Fish
Photo by Ted Scheffler. This week, Scheff's Table recreates a local recipe. At Log Haven restaurant, chef Dave Jones prepares fish with a topping that my wife absolutely loves; so I learned to make it at home. Chef Jones tops seared or grilled fish with an avocado “mash” - a blend of fresh avocado, tahini, and seasonings. It’s great with grilled fish but you could also use … [Read more...]
Cranberry Beans & Bacon Recipe
I love beans of all types but especially cranberry beans, which are similar to pinto beans. Cranberry beans also go by other names, such as borlotti bean, cargamanto bean, Roman bean, romano bean, gadhra bean, rosecoco bean and saluggia bean. I was trying to think of a side dish to make for dinner recently and remembered I had dried cranberry beans in the pantry. So I … [Read more...]
Arroz Con Pollo Recipe
When I lived in New York City I came to love a one-pot dish called arroz con pollo (rice with chicken). I’d often enjoy arroz con pollo at inexpensive Cuban and Puerto Rican restaurants. Arroz con pollo is a dish that is ubiquitous in Latin American and some Caribbean countries, and it seems like every family has its own recipe. It’s an easy comfort food to prepare and I like … [Read more...]
Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich Recipe
Since my son lives near Philadelphia, I’ve spent a lot of time there and eaten more than my share of Philly cheesesteaks. And while it isn’t easy to make an authentic cheesesteak at home - especially since you can’t get Amoroso rolls here in Utah - you can create a pretty good facsimile. Most cheesesteaks in Philly are made using boneless rib eye steak. If you have that … [Read more...]
Thai Red Curry Recipe for Home Cooks
Here is a really simple and quick recipe for Thai-style red curry. I use boneless chicken for the dish but you could easily substitute pork, tofu, duck, beef, veggies, shrimp, fish, or just about anything else you’d like. Items like Thai red curry paste and fish sauce are available in most Asian markets and nowadays in many regular supermarkets, as well. Ingredients for Thai … [Read more...]
Chicken & Cashew Biryani Recipe for Home Cooks
Biryani - which is also spelled biriyani - is a popular rice-based dish in South India. It’s sort of like rice pilaf, but with an Indian spin and can be made in a multitude of ways, such as with shrimp, fish, lamb, etc. I especially like chicken biryani with toasted cashews to add some crunchy texture to the dish. Ingredients: 1 Tbsp ghee or butter (clarified, if … [Read more...]
Juicy Bone-In Chicken Breasts Recipe
I’ve never quite understood why so many people favor boneless chicken breasts over bone-in ones. Bone-in breasts, properly prepared, are so much more juicy, tender and delicious. Here is a method for roasting bone-in chicken breasts in the oven that is virtually foolproof. The recipe is for two chicken breasts but can easily be doubled. Give it a try! Ingredients: 2 bone-in … [Read more...]
Classic Cheese Fondue
For New Year's Eve this year, my wife and I are planning to celebrate at home by opening a great bottle of wine and enjoying homemade cheese fondue. This is a basic recipe for classic Swiss-style cheese fondue that's easy to make and pretty much foolproof. Ingredients: 1 garlic clove, halved 1 pound Gruyère cheese, grated 1/2 pound Emmentaler cheese or … [Read more...]
Harissa Mussels with Chorizo
Ever since I first visited Brussels, I’ve loved steamed mussels and make them at home frequently. They are very easy and quick to prepare. I have about a dozen different steamed mussels recipes that I use and this is one of my favorites. It’s got a Moroccan flair with the use of spicy harissa paste and chorizo. Many markets carry harissa, but if you can’t find it you could … [Read more...]