roasty toasty

(apologizes for the picture quality, I don’t know what happened. I shopped them the best I could)

Another week, another lesson for the apprentice. What was on the menu? Roasting!
Roasting has got to be one of the best kept secrets of chefs. Complex flavors, beautiful colors, a myriad of textures, all taken care of by the [...]

Quebec with a touch of Spain

The other day I decided to try turning a Quebecois favorite, the Tourtiere (or pork pie), into a Spanish hand-held treat, an empanada.
Growing up, these pork pies were almost always a winter food; more specifically, Christmas food. I’m really not sure why but my dad says that’s just the way it was in his house [...]

The apprentice

I did not cook this.(ok, I helped a little)
I’ve finally acquired an apprentice. My new roommate and friend wanted to learn how to cook, so off we go! What about the eater you say? Sure, the eater helps out now and then, but I can tell she isn’t all that thrilled about cooking most of [...]

My Specialty?

I’m not sure how it happened, but apparently I have a specialty. It’s not those colorful macarons, it’s not those elaborate fondant cakes, it’s not even pastry at all — I’m a salad specialist.
I’m not sure when it happened, but I’m pretty sure it started off innocently. I joined a CSA, bought local, ate seasonal. [...]

The Sugar Daddy Dares Us

What can I say? It’s choux-time again. This time the Daring Bakers made me do it.
This month our challenge recipe is from none other than Pierre Herme, the king of macrons himself. I’m sure it’s been a long time since PH himself churned out batches of choux, but it’s nice to see that he doesn’t [...]