Steamers in Broth
Clam juice. Think about that for a while. I can’t think of any other animal whose “juice” is bottled and sold at just about every supermarket. Other shelled water creatures do not have their own juices sold like this. I’m not even sure if they have juice. Cows have juice, but I don’t think that applies. Some … Continue reading
Grilled Eggplant Caprese Pasta Salad
Caprese salad is one of my favorite Summer treats. It makes short work of an abundance of local crops, specifically basil and tomatoes, when you are likely drowning in them in late August. The freshness of this dish is unmatched and the simple composition allows the seasonal ingredients to shine. The only problem is that … Continue reading
Halibut Cheeks with Oyster Mushrooms, Gingered Turnip Mash, and Asian Greens
Oh, those sweet ‘but cheeks. They’re so cute! You just want to pinch them. Pinch them, season them, drown them in brown butter, and gobble them up. These hal-i-but cheeks are the sweetest. Though most people only use the fillet of the fish, the true flavor lies in the head. People usually don’t like to … Continue reading
Larb Gai (Thai Chicken Salad)
Spring is in full bloom and the local crops are starting to come into fruition. With the early warm spell in the midwest, the vast majority of local crops are coming in up to a month early. This is both a blessing and a curse. Though we should have an early and plentiful crop, organics … Continue reading
Pan-Seared Wild Salmon with Wasabi Aïoli
Mayonnaise is a staple in the American refrigerator. Whether it’s Hellman’s, Kraft, or Miracle Whip, over 90% of Americans have mayo in their fridge right now. Other than ketchup, it’s the most used condiment in the country. It’s even more popular in Europe, where culinary experts have taken it to the next level. The funny … Continue reading
Wild Coconut Shrimp with Vegetables and Sweet Chili Jus
I have this weird affinity for peeling and deveining shrimp. Instead of just throwing a handful of them into a pan all at once, I like taking the time to touch and examine every little guy individually. It feels like I’m almost showing appreciation for an otherwise under-appreciated little sea people. These aren’t potatoes or … Continue reading
Orange Chicken with Gingered Squash and Bulgur Wheat
I don’t really like rice. There, I said it. Sure, it’s alright, if you enjoy waiting 50 minutes for a flavorless, carb-fortified, mound of steaming nothing. Low fiber, low protein, and low taste. That’s what rice is. It’s fine enough as a filler sponge for sauces, soups, and stews, but you can really do better … Continue reading
Herbed Pork Tenderloin with Bosc Pears
Pork has had a bad rap since, well, forever. Swine always seems to be looking up from the bottom of the livestock food chain. Other than bacon, which most people can’t live without, pork is usually thrown aside in favor of poultry or beef, at least in the U.S. Some countries, especially those with predominantly … Continue reading
Espresso Cake with Peanut Butter Fudge
It’s a good thing that I’m not one of those guys that forgets to get my wife a birthday cake. I’m the type of guy that plans way in advance for this kind of thing. Always prepared, this guy is. But, if I were one of those guys, one of those “rotten forgetful bastards” I … Continue reading
Thai-Style Yellow Curry with Shrimp, Soba Noodles, and Klamath Pearl Potatoes
It took me a long time to get into curry dishes. I am not the biggest fan of Indian food and curry instantly made me think of dull yellow cauliflower, fire-breathing, and eating with your hands (and making sure you are eating with the correct one!). I know that Indian food is probably very good … Continue reading
Lewd Food 