Arctic Char with Ramps, Mushrooms, and Asparagus

Arctic Char with Spring Mushrooms, Asparagus, Ramps

by Jill on May 15, 2011

Arctic Char is a mild-flavored pink fish that is available year round. It is similar in flavor to salmon, but with  a much more delicate, buttery taste. Incidentally, I don’t care for salmon, but I love char. I find it’s a great compromise that satisfies the salmon lovers and the white fish lovers equally. This [...]

{ 0 comments }

Cajun Seafood Pasta

December 8, 2011
Shrimp & Andouille Cajun Pasta

I pulled this one out from the archives… made it a few years ago when the poblanos were overrunning our garden. Fresh pepper season has passed in Pennsylvania, but you could swap out red peppers and/or jalapenos, or serranos for a little more heat, which are all readily available at the grocery store year-round. 1 [...]

0 comments Read the full article →

Throwback Thursday: Eggplant Parmigiana

September 8, 2011
Garden Fresh Eggplant Parmigiana

A raging controversy exists in the Pittsburgh community regarding whether or not to peel our eggplants. This is a debate I knew nothing about until a passionate colleague tracked me down and, exasperated, rattled off the horrendous story about eating a friend’s Eggplant Parmigiana that still had the skin on. “Ugh! It was like a [...]

0 comments Read the full article →

Spice-Rubbed Sirloin with Fresh Banana Pepper Relish

August 10, 2011
Grilled Steaks with Banana Pepper Relish

Some of us just aren’t the canning sort. Any activity that requires forceps and a cauldron of boiling water is something that this clumsy cook should stay away from. Inspired by a bountiful harvest of garden peppers, this fresh relish mimics the flavor of gently pickled peppers in a fraction of the time. for the [...]

0 comments Read the full article →

Chiles Rellenos con Chorizo y Queso

July 28, 2011
Chiles Rellenos con Chorizo y Queso

These deep-fried, stuffed poblano peppers are often enjoyed with a cheese filling that excludes any meat. Even for a cheese lover like me, though, that can be a little much. So this recipe incorporates chorizo sausage. Adjust the balance of sausage and cheese to your own liking. Other fillings you may substitute include ground beef, [...]

0 comments Read the full article →

Pulled Duck Old-Fashioned Sliders

July 18, 2011
Pulled Duck Old-Fashioned Sliders

For many, the Old-Fashioned cocktail represents a classic sip of Americana. The elixir is one of the first recorded American cocktails and remains popular in bars and supper clubs today. Today’s widely accepted recipe – rye, soda, and bitters with muddled sugar,  orange and cherry – is a variant of the drier original version, which [...]

0 comments Read the full article →

Zucchini Bread Two Ways

July 13, 2011
Zucchini Bread Two Ways

No self-respecting Hunky can grow up without a great zucchini bread recipe. This less-dense variation, made here in muffin pans, is outrageously moist. The recipe below yields about 24-30 full-sized muffins. When I make it, I divide the recipe in half just before adding any pecans and make half with nuts and half without. I [...]

0 comments Read the full article →

Summer Beets, Arugula, Bleu Cheese, and Lemon

July 12, 2011
Beet & Arugula Salad

I remember the days when I hated beets. They were cloyingly sweet and mushy, and as far as I knew, they were born in a tin can. But one day I ate a fresh roasted beet and that all changed. The skies opened – or should I say the earth opened? -  and I discovered [...]

0 comments Read the full article →

Hot Buttermilk Fried Chicken

July 8, 2011
Hot Buttermilk Fried Chicken

The first time I saw someone put hot sauce in their fried chicken eggwash I thought, “Oh no! Not everyone likes spicy stuff…” But she assured me no one would notice. And she was right, the heat fried out but left a terrific flavor. Problem is that my household DOES like it hot and spicy, [...]

0 comments Read the full article →

Independence Day Sweets

July 4, 2011
Independence Day Sweets

A photo tour of this year’s 4th of July goodies.  

0 comments Read the full article →

Spiced Blueberry & Peach Parfait

June 28, 2011
Spiced Peach & Berry Parfait

I managed to save the berries from our one urban-blueberry plant for a cool treat this summer. Cardamom and coriander have such an exciting aroma. Paired with a spicy gingered blueberry sauce and peaches, the ice cream pairings are limitless. Honey, vanilla, goat cheese, or lemon flavors would all work great, as would Jeni’s Backyard [...]

0 comments Read the full article →

← Previous Entries