In the last elimination challenge before the finals in the first season of Top Chef, a panel of judges including some of the most accomplished and discerning chefs in the country chose Dave’s truffle & cognac cream macaroni & cheese, filet of beef, and collard greens & radicchio as the winning dish. The filet and greens were criticized for being “afterthoughts” to the macaroni & cheese, which itself was the favorite dish of all the judges. Why did macaroni and cheese capture the imagination of experienced chefs and critics of high-end cuisine? Continue reading
Category Archives: Sides & sauces
Shopska Salad by ludosti
A Bulgarian salad with tomato, cucumber, onion, and feta. Continue reading
Tangy Beef Marinade
A tasty simmering sauce for beef. Continue reading
Peanut Sauce
This is great on rice noodles. I could eat it right from the pan with a sppon though. Continue reading
Trees and Snow
A childhood favorite. Okay, we loved broccoli any way you served it, but this was a lot of fun. You can, of course, serve the "snow" with other veggies, but then it wouldn't be snow, would it? Because snow goes on trees. It's not quite as nummy with raw trees, but still pretty good, so that one's up to you. The broccoli-cooking method works well with most veggies (just adjust acidity and sweetness to taste). You may want to add a pat or two of butter if you're not using snow with it.
When I say "mayonnaise", I mean Best Foods/Hellman's. Use another brand at your own risk. I am not responsible for any resulting implosion of the universe if you use Miracle Whip. Continue reading
How to Steam Rice
As requested. Works for most of your basic rices– long grain, short grain, brown, whatever. Don't use wild rice in this one, it cooks differently. Use a regular-sized saucepan unless you're making an absolute ton. Make sure you have a lid that fits. This is the method my dad learned from a college buddy whose parents had a Chinese restaurant. Continue reading
Home-made Veggie Stock
Save the tops and peels and such of washed veggies in a gallon-size freezer bag in the freezer. When it's full, it's time to make stock– a fully-packed bag is exactly enough for a batch of stock. Continue reading
Matza Meal Rolls
When the only bread you can eat is matza, but you miss bread — try these. Continue reading
Andouille Mustard Greens
A very hearty set of greens – Alton Brown's method, my ingredient choices. Continue reading
Honey-glazed Carrots with Green Onions
Originally got the recipe from my HS foods class, but I have halved and modified it over the years. Serves four as a side (although two can eat it quite easily!) Doubles very well. Continue reading