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Entries in braise (5)

Sunday
31Jan2010

Love Affair

Matilda is the only one I've ever loved for an extended period of time.  'Wild in character, with a slightly fruity aroma and a spicy yeast flavor that is as unique as it is satisfying'--she's my go-to girl.  A wonderful dining companion, I can't imagine eating much without her, especially when it comes to pork.  

To celebrate our first encounter--which was at a bar (crude yet effective, I know)--I'm braising a pork shoulder in her golden glory.

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Saturday
24Oct2009

More Lemonade

Anyone who reads the comments section knows I've been having a culinary love affair with Liz for the last year.  Not only is she a real professional, she kindles the same passion for garam masala, and other uncommon ingredients, but most importantly garam masala, at least today (but only with many less commas).

Since we've both been back-logged with blogging, we exchanged a few e-mails the other week to discuss some more applications of garam masala, which if you recall, is a just a blend of relatively more familiar words, much like a curry is.  The end result is this garam masala combo post.  Check out her site for an even better application of the spice blend.

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Monday
24Aug2009

Running Through The Forest 

I've discovered the most difficult, single item to cook in the universe.  Seconds determine the difference between perfection and prodigality.  If only preparing said item was as easy as eggs or that cool molecular stuff Grant and Wylie do.  Unfortunately, making tortillas is no easy feat.

I'm talking about taking masa, or masa harina and water mixed together, pressing it thinly, and cooking on a griddle.  Try it-- see what happens.  Failure happens.

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Tuesday
14Jul2009

Dude Food

Tonight [Saturday] is all about UFC 100.  Only thing that can make a fight better, is some serious dude food.  I can't let the TV showcase the all of the  best knockouts of the night-- I need to lay some out on the table.  Since the best sports party food I can think of is Mexican, I'm going to do another tribute to Rick Bayless to get the job done right.

Most of the inspiration comes from whichever episode of Everyday Mexican was on TV Friday morning.  I spyed nose of the dog salsa, featuring tomatoes, habaneros, and radishes.  Habaneros are definitely knock out material.  He also made a really good looking braised pork, but this recipe is too much to remember, so I use the concept as inspiration.  A beef dish should accompany as well-- we all need our daily dose of iron.

Gucamole is going to be another necessity, but it can't be another boring guacamole.  Long ago I made an avocado salad to top skirt steak.  I'm confident that I can refine these flavors to make a great guacamole.  In case the habanero salsa isn't enough for everyone, I'm going to make a salsa verde as well.  I've been craving salsa verde since my neighbors make some of the best, so this better work out.

This isn't as masochistic of a menu as some may think.  I'm going to have a lot of inactive cooking time with the meats.  While they're braising, I can prep the salsas or even clean my home.

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Monday
22Jun2009

Earthquake Weather

Today I wake happy to be home.  It's the end of the week, and being in a familiar place is awesome.  Last three flights home I've been rain delayed, but last night I got home on time, and there was light when I landed, just not when I got home.

As I sit at my desk coding while under the influence of hunger, which isn't uncommon, I wonder what to make for dinner tonight.  During this process, I hear falling ice.  There is not a freezer for many feet from here-- what could it be?  I look to my window and spy a mass of frozen water particles on my window sill.  I roll my chair over the creaky hardwood floor for further inspection.  There appears to be many balls of ice, and they appear to be falling from the sky.  Someone has their solstices confused.

I thought braising season was over, but the weather says otherwise.  The downpour is the perfect ambiance for french onion soup, but I should probably attempt something more difficult.  Nobody seemed to approve of my trotters dish, so I'll stay away from that.  Maybe I should stay away from cooking altogether since the all time most viewed post covered something I didn't make.

Too bad for you guys that don't like my cooking-- I'm braising ox tails tonight.

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