German Soft Pretzels

Picture of German Soft Pretzels on baking sheet.

German Soft Pretzels Soft pretzels are a specialty of the Bavarian region of southern Germany.  They are  a popular snack item in the German beer halls throughout the year, and especially during Oktoberfest.  They are traditionally boiled in a water and lye bath to create the distinctive dark brown color and chewy exterior.  A safer alternative for home cooks is … Read More

Auntie Rae’s Apple Cake

Picture of dessert in a pan

From the cookbook, “Perfect Cakes” by Nick Malgieri, this recipe caught my eye because of its use of pantry ingredients and simple straightforward preparation.  It’s really more of a bar-type dessert than a cake.  It sounded like a great recipe for new fall apples and the first time I tasted it I might have eaten more than one piece…I think … Read More

Smoked Salmon & Potato Salad

Photo of a salad on a plate

Smoked Salmon & Potato Salad Whether you’re smoking the salmon yourself or purchasing it, the rich flavor of hot-smoked salmon is a great counterpoint to the tart flavor of this herbal vinaigrette.  You can easily smoke it at home yourself with a smoker box for woodchips which gets placed on your grill.  Dressing the potatoes with vinegar while they are … Read More

Crispy Fried Fish Sandwich with Chipotle Tartar Sauce

Yield:  4 servings Tartar Sauce: 1 cup mayonnaise 2 teaspoons finely minced onion ½ teaspoon fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon well-drained capers 2 teaspoons caper juice 2 dashes Tabasco sauce 1 tablespoon chopped chipotle Dash of paprika for color In a food processor with the steel blade, blend together the mayonnaise, onion, lemon juice, capers, caper juice, and Tabasco.  Add … Read More

Salad of Pears & Spiced Nuts in Parmesan Crisp

Salad of Pears & Spiced Nuts in a Parmesan Crisp The spiced nuts make make more than what is needed for this salad because it’s hard to go with less than one egg white.  The extras can be stored in an airtight container for future salads or just general snacking.  The Parmesan crisps can be made earlier in the day … Read More

Sweet Corn & Tomato Pudding

Picture of Corn & Tomato Pudding

Sweet Corn & Tomato Pudding The sweetness of fresh corn provides a unique background flavor in this delicate savory custard that makes a great side dish, or breakfast and brunch dish.  Yield: 4-6 servings 3 tomatoes (2 if tomatoes are large) 2 cups corn kernels (preferable freshly cut from the cob, frozen may also be used) 8 oz. Monterey Jack, … Read More

Sliced Tomatoes with Warm Bacon Dressing

Picture of Tomato Salad

Sliced Tomatoes with Warm Bacon Dressing The fresh flavor of vine-ripe summer tomatoes needs little embellishment.  This easy dressing adds just enough of an accent without overwhelming that special summer flavor.  A combination of different heirloom tomatoes will make for a brighter and visually vibrant salad.  Slicing tomatoes vertically instead of cross-wise (as most people do), will create more consistent … Read More

Moroccan Carrot, Date, and Grape Salad

Picture of beef skewers with carrot salad

Moroccan Carrot, Date, and Grape Salad The aromatic quality of this salad is provided through the use of orange flower water which is distilled from fresh orange blossoms.  Orange flower water can be found in specialty and mid-eastern markets or delis. If you are unable to use orange flower water, you can leave it out, but I’d encourage you to … Read More

Nigerian Beef Suya

Picture of Beef Skewers Grilling on Grill Pan

Nigerian Beef Suya Beef Suya is a popular street food found in Nigeria.  According to various sources, the street vendors will marinate and cook the meat on skewers earlier in the day and then rewarm over grills when they set up their stands in the evening.  Street vendors probably do the advance cooking so they can more quickly serve crowds … Read More

Red Wine & Blueberry Glazed Chicken

Photo of Red Wine Blueberry Glazed Chicken with Potato Salad

Red Wine & Blueberry Glazed Chicken  This is a simple cook and reduce glaze that would also be delicious on a pork tenderloin or ham.  Grating the onion instead of dicing it creates smaller pieces that blend into the mix and releases more juice to blend with the liquid ingredients.  When I prepared this on my Facebook Live show I … Read More