[picasa username=”lsq713″ albumname=”FootLongBaconEggAndCheeses”] The soccer lads prevailed at their state cup game today. Thankfully, in spite of my reluctance to forfeit “down time” I rallied to travel with the team bus to Schenectady New York 2-3 hours from NYC. The Manhattan Hurrican city boys did us proud. But, fearful as I am to be caught empty handed with a… View Article

that’s what my dad used to say as we, his choopies evolved and got some skills of our own, “from the professor I’ve become the student.” Listening to Pavarotti now sing Nessun Dorma makes me miss my pops. Even though his spirit lives on in all his boys and grandsons. Here MDQ (whose stint working… View Article

[picasa username=”lsq713″ albumname=”EasterDinner2010″] Another Easter dinner had on one of our first gloriously beautiful days of the spring. Planned 8 to sit down for dinner but wound up me plus 8 boys to men (and thankfully Carly turning up in time for dessert). The meal, served inside was eaten outside–simple, simple menu but so satisfying…. View Article

[picasa username=”lsq713″ albumname=”ReallyGoodFriday”] One week back from vacation and the vibe continues a la early spring. Fresh Pat LaFreida provolone sausages, barbecued and piled into a baguette, lined with sweet pickles, and slathered with mustard. Press it down and slice in pieces–a great casual way to get lots of servings with little fuss. Sweet potatoes,… View Article

Vacation was completely rejuvenating but I’m back in the everyday and really happy to be home, making dinner, walking the dogs, nagging the kids to clean-up, getting to work blah blah blah BUT am also thinking about this weekends eats for the holiday. Whatever the main feature is (probably lamb)–I’ll definitely be making this Easter… View Article

Am missing this boy child terribly given his canceled flight home due to this horrendous NYC weather. This boy doggie misses him too–stalking me in the bedroom, kitchen, living room–another incorrigible yearling who needs more than this ladies exercise routine! Still–there is a household of other males who seem to evade the dog walking but… View Article

Bone-in pork shoulder (Pernil) is an awesome cut of meat. It’s where value + flavor= feeds a large crowd. Marinating in a combo of or single citrus (grapefruit, orange, lime), oregano, garlic, hot pepper, olive oil, salt and back pepper. Best after 2 days of marinating but I’ll be cooking this today and it’ll still… View Article

I’ve used many fancy espresso machines and battery powered milk foamers etc over the years but love making cappuccinos without a machine. Best coffee (personal choice) finely ground and made in a stove top moka coffee pot. Then whole milk is heated in the microwave until hot but not scalded and I take a small… View Article

[picasa username=”lsq713″ albumname=”JAJerkChicken”] Following up on yesterdays post about the Kiln and Kitchen workshop in Jamaica– here are the chicken pics. You can see the Yabba pot for the rice and peas behind the kettle grill–both being prepared for cooking. I like to marinate the jerk chicken (or pork) in the jerk paste for at least… View Article

[picasa username=”lsq713″ albumname=”JARiceAndPeas”] A couple of years ago before getting so busy making Mad Hungry, I spent a week teaching at a work shop called The Kiln and The Kitchen at Good Hope in Trelawny, Jamaica. My childhood friend David Pinto, a potter who works up there invited me to collaborate with him in teaching… View Article

Not to beat a dead cabbage but–this variety of cabbage which behaves like kale is kind of insane as pointed out on yesterdays MH FB page post by Kempe Minifie (former executive food editor Gourmet magazine). Should you have a garden, I recommend getting these seeds. Unlike most other cabbages, there is so little water… View Article

Dead of winter farmers market booty. Dinner thoughts are Chicken roast with cipolini onions and fingerling potatoes, sauted kale-cabbage, apple pie. But, first will pilfer a few dinner fingerlings for a breakfast dish inspired by the folks at Momofuko noodle bar. Crispy bacon, scallions and a slow poached egg.

Another great super bowl option from seriouseats.com Try to make the chili ahead by a day or two and it’s even better Cook the Book: Chili Posted by Caroline Russock, February 3, 2010 at 1:00 PM “All along I had been searching for a chili that tasted like chiles, and this one was it.” “All along… View Article

Confession: American football is not my favorite sport although I do love football (as in soccer). Both kinds of football dominate our house. And no fall weekend is devoid of either. Usually, I take the time to see a movie, shop, chill with a friend or just do about any other activity other than football…. View Article

On the music front from yesterday opera didn’t win the airwaves after all but we did compromise starting with Jay Z and Alicia Keys New classic NYC anthem Empire State of Mind http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bm61weFrK4c. Jay Z was the musical olive branch and I love this version better than solo Alicia anyway. BUT–she so rules overall in… View Article

From my postings here and on FB about my bread baking activities, I think it’s fair to say that Sullivan Street bakery’s Jim Laheys new book, http://www.amazon.com/My-Bread-Revolutionary-No-Work-No-Knead/dp/0393066304 is the book I’ve most been working from in the last couple months because yeast is my new learning curve. I have had almost instant and undeserving success… View Article

In the time it takes to order pizza and pick it up or wait for delivery, you can make a MUCH better and more affordable meal at home, provided your pantry is stocked. Many friends and colleagues tell me they just don’t have time to cook. But, they have time to order in and wait… View Article

The flat-roasted chicken aka “spatchcocked” is simply achieved by using kitchen shears to cut out the backbone. No brick or other gimmick is needed to get a great bird cooked in 40 minutes. Check the recipe and video here, http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/flat-roast-chicken and it is one of our fav recipes in Mad Hungry. Also, collard greens, cooked… View Article

One night last week, before traveling on a trip destined for a ski house populated with ten people, I decided to get ahead of the meal game. So, just before bedtime, I put a pork roast on one rack and this pan of tomatoes, shallots, garlic, thyme, olive oil, salt and pepper on another rack…. View Article

Mike Sheldon asked for this Curry Chicken recipe from the December 12th post. It comes from the above book and is a simple West Indian version of the dish NOT a traditional East Indian version in which the spices would be individually mixed depending on the style/region of is origin. Curry Chicken 6 pounds chicken,… View Article