Skate with Hazelnuts & Cauliflower in a Warm Caper, Mustard & Golden Raisin Sauce
This dish was good… so good! If you are looking for a full meal that has developed and rounded flavors and is quick and easy to make - look no further. The sauce really pops. Between the capers, the mustard, and the raisins cooked in with the roasted hazelnuts and cauliflower, the flavors are unexpected and wonderful all at the same time. Top it with a delicate skate and this dish is really one of my new favorites. I can’t... [Read More...]
Rustic Pan Brick Chicken with Zucchini, Caramelized Onion, Crouton Medley
One of my favorite ways of making chicken is the pan cooked “brick” style. You are able to get a combination of both dark and white meat, it has crispy skin and is incredibly juicy - getting the best aspects of chicken all in one. Depending on the time of year, this chicken goes incredibly well with a large variety of garnishes. This time, I happened to make it with a zucchini, caramelized pearl onion, buttery crouton medley…... [Read More...]
Sirloin Cheese Burger with Yam Fries & Salad
This dish was inspired by my favorite burger from a place called Zaitzeff. Their burgers are delicious, but what really makes them special are the Portuguese buns that they use. I have looked long and hard for these buns, twice finding substandard versions. A few days ago I finally found them at Citarella and so came to be this very “summery” dish in the middle of winter. It was perfect… I just can’t wait until I... [Read More...]
Cucumber Farro Risotto with Steamed Salmon
Farro is a whole wheat that is usually found dry and then cooked like a pasta. I can’t possibly explain how much I love this little grain and how often I use it as its applications are somewhat endless. If you are someone who has never tried farro, I plead with you to try it. It is so delicious. Farro has incredible flavor and texture and can be eaten cold or hot. While it is a healthy ingredient, it doesn’t taste “healthy”.... [Read More...]
Eggplant Pecan Dip with Pomegranate & Mint
I love this dip. It is hearty, warm, and comforting - all while happening to be completely healthy too. The eggplant and pecans work really well together, both in taste and texture, and the pomegranate and mint pull it all together. They make it pop, both figuratively and literally. The great thing about this dip too is that you can use it many different ways. Serve it with bread as a dip, serve it with shredded chicken for dinner, serve it... [Read More...]
Veal Chops with Fontina White Truffle Polenta & Sauteed Mushrooms
Lately Bouley Market in Tribeca has been getting better and better. It seems every week they have a new spectacular addition. Their meats and fish case have beautiful pre-cut and cleaned pieces of meat or fish that are amazing. I have been eyeing the Milk-fed Veal Chops for a few weeks now, and I was finally able to get around to buying them and making them. I didn’t want to make anything too fussy as I could only imagine how much the veal... [Read More...]
Spiced Pork Tenderloin with Cider Spiked Sprouts and Pear Sauce
It snowed again today in New York. It seems like it has been snowing every day for the past month. Its cold and windy, and I was in the mood for something comfortable. For me, brussel sprouts define cold weather food. I decided to pair them with a spiced pork tenderloin, and instead of the more usual apple sauce garnish, I made a pear sauce to go with the loin. The meal came together really beautifully, and it perfectly quenched that comfy food... [Read More...]
Argentine Steak with Chimichurri
Time for a quick yet satisfying dinner - steak and potatoes, but why not make it better, alright ready… Give me some jazz hands… lets do steak with the oh so yummy chimichurri sauce and lets make the potatoes shoestring (the crunch is always my favorite part of french fries or papas fritas - or whatever other name they are called… well other than “Freedom Fries”, ugh… shivers). After looking through a bunch of chimichurri... [Read More...]
Braised Short Ribs & Kuri Squash Orzo
This dish was just so absolutely delicious, and now my new favorite orzo is squash orzo. This is the second dish I have made from The Babbo Cookbook by Mario Batali, and I have realized what a great purchase it was. Its one of those cookbooks that doesn’t just have great pictures and what read like good recipes, it actually has good recipes - ones that you can re-create and turn out tasting as good as the pictures look in the book. Just a few points... [Read More...]
Seared Ahi Tuna with Avocado Coulis
My friend, Christina, made this dish for me. I was able to watch her cook it, and once I took my first bite, I had to have the recipe. This is the quintessential dinner party dish - it is unbelievably easy to make, most of it can be made/prepared in advance, it has a beautiful presentation and presence, and of course most importantly, it is so so yummy… you’ll find yourself eating very slowly just to make it all last longer (does there have... [Read More...]
