Spring Salad Bouquet Recipe, Basil Vinaigrette & Blood Orange Vinaigrette

We found this spring salad bouquet recipe (photo #1) on the social media pages of the New York City outpost of Catch seafood restaurant (a charming spot with a roof deck for alfresco dining). The salad is no longer on the menu, but it looked so festive we had to make it for ourselves. There…
Continue reading “Spring Salad Bouquet Recipe, Basil Vinaigrette & Blood Orange Vinaigrette”

FOOD FUN: Hand Pies Grow Up

[1] Hand pies plated as a gourmet dessert at Sirena Cocina Latina in San Diego (alas, now closed). [2] Use cutters to make prettier pies, and crimp the edges with a fork (here’s the recipe from Driscoll’s Berries). [3] A ham, brie and fig jam hand pie with grainy mustard sauce (here’s the recipe from…
Continue reading “FOOD FUN: Hand Pies Grow Up”

TIP OF THE DAY: Gourmet Chilaquiles & The History Of Chilaquiles

Instead of Huevos Rancheros on Cinco de Mayo, how about gourmet chilaquiles (chee-la-KEE-lace)? While there are numerous regional variations of this traditional Mexican breakfast or brunch dish, the basic recipe tops quartered, fried corn tortillas with salsa or mole sauce, and crowned with fried eggs. Pulled chicken can be added; the dish is topped with…
Continue reading “TIP OF THE DAY: Gourmet Chilaquiles & The History Of Chilaquiles”

Soft Pretzel Bites Recipe For National Pretzel Day

What do you bake on National Pretzel Day (April 26th)? Pretzel bites! These soft, chewy pretzel bites are a version of the jumbo soft pretzels sold by street vendors, and are easier (well, let’s say more elegant) to eat than pulling apart a six-inches-wide pretzel. Warm from the oven and served with a cold beer:…
Continue reading “Soft Pretzel Bites Recipe For National Pretzel Day”

TIP OF THE DAY: Sauvignon Blanc Styles & Pairings

April 24th is National Sauvignon Blanc Day, a grape that grows easily around the world and makes wines that are popular wherever they are made. Sauvignon Blanc (SAW-vin-yawn BLON) is an AOC-classified* French wine that’is planted around the world. Its origin is the eastern part of France’s Loire Valley, where it abuts Burgundy. In France,…
Continue reading “TIP OF THE DAY: Sauvignon Blanc Styles & Pairings”