Confession: I’m not great with whole birds. It’s easy to believe that all our meat starts out its life neatly packaged in Styrofoam trays and covered in plastic wrap. I truly believe it’s important to remember and respect the fact that they were once living animals, and that understanding the process of butchery helps you… Continue reading Thompson Turkey Part Two: Getting to know your bird/Stuffing-palooza.
Thompson Turkey – Part One
If you don’t know what a Thompson Turkey is (or the infamous Black Turkey), I recommend you read Jeffrey Steingarten’s essay from The Man Who Ate Everything – he tells the story, history, and his exploits in making it far better than I will. But the basics are this: This is a completely bug-nuts, bonkers,… Continue reading Thompson Turkey – Part One
Ciao Time #7 – Pizza Americana
Where ya been, Dishes? Sorry guys. The holiday hustle had me pretty busy for awhile, and some stuff went on that made me feel not-so-funny. Then I lost my cooking mojo for a couple weeks – ever had one of those things? When you just can’t think of anything interesting to cook or do, and… Continue reading Ciao Time #7 – Pizza Americana
Ciao Time #6 – Trenton Tomato Pie
I have eaten Chicago Deep Dish pizza in Chicago, and New York Thin Crust in New York. I have never eaten St. Louis Style pizza in St. Louis, but if presented with the opportunity, I might actually throw it on the floor, which is where it belongs (see St. Louis Style Pizza blog entry). And… Continue reading Ciao Time #6 – Trenton Tomato Pie
Not Your Mother’s Vegetable Soup:
Slightly misleading, as this is MY mother’s vegetable soup, or at least it’s close (she uses cabbage! Yuck face!) I’m sure there are a few other differences, but the end result is the same – a glorious bubbly pot of tomato-y, vegetable-y goodness, with the secret ingredient – lots and lots of beef. The polar… Continue reading Not Your Mother’s Vegetable Soup:
Shredded Chicken: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Crock Pot
(It’s not what you’re thinking. I’m not a monster.) Wait a minute – aren’t you supposed to be making ambitious stuff? Homemade cheese and fifty pizzas and sugar cages? Well yeah. That was the idea. And you’re making shredded chicken? That’s it? Yeah. Isn’t this just an excuse to throw some shit in a Crock… Continue reading Shredded Chicken: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Crock Pot
Ciao Time #5 – Kneadful Things – New York Style Pizza
Wow where HAVE you been, Dishes? Sorry for the long period of silence guys. I had my 20th (OMG!) high school reunion this past weekend, and guess who was in charge? (Or rather, guess who was the last to say “Not it”.) So needless to say I’ve been busy. But I know I never followed… Continue reading Ciao Time #5 – Kneadful Things – New York Style Pizza
Ciao Time #4 – Kneadful Things – New York Style Pizza Dough
When you were a kid in school did you ever get one of those tests that was pretty much just a list of instructions? It would start off like: 1. Read all of the instructions before you start the test 2. Write your name at the top of your paper 3. Draw a star on the… Continue reading Ciao Time #4 – Kneadful Things – New York Style Pizza Dough
Much Meat:
There is much, much meat going on in my house right now. Stay tuned for exciting carnivorous adventures as I try to recreate Vacation Stew. (Stew! I still can’t believe I ordered stew at a restaurant! What was I thinking? But it turned out SO good.)
Thinking Outside the Back of the Box: Hot Pimiento Cheese Bacon Dip
Thinking Outside the Back of the Box: Hot Pimiento Cheese Bacon Dip Back of the box recipes are a national treasure – really. I know I’ve poked fun at cream-of-something soups before, but when it comes to convenience cooking, it doesn’t get much easier than reading a recipe off the back of a package. It… Continue reading Thinking Outside the Back of the Box: Hot Pimiento Cheese Bacon Dip
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