Stainless Steel Thumb

bury your head....in some ostrich!

2013-05-16T23:26:00.000-04:00

Alright, so I know it's not everyday that people find ostrich...or every day that they eat it. Unless of course your down under, or maybe in Africa? But clearly, I am not. Fortunately, we have a friendly guy from Roaming Acres that posts up at the Union Square market quite often that has some pretty solid ostrich offerings! I've never actually cooked ostrich, but figured...what better to

dabbling in sandwiches

2013-04-15T09:51:00.001-04:00

So it's not very often that I make and/or even have sandwiches. Do I love sandwiches? Absolutely. Can I make a darn good one? Sure! But I guess it's just not my first go to - unless I have leftover pork, some white cheddar, and pickles on hand...then it's Cubano time! But that's beside the point. Also, very rarely do I fry foods. Just a personal thing I guess. I think it's the lingering

technicolor cavolfiori

2013-03-13T20:04:00.001-04:00

We are getting SO close to spring time that it hurts...I'm ready to come out of culinary hibernation and get this show on the road. I'm ready to see some color out there, and we all know I can't wait to over-purchase boatloads of highly perishable baby vegetables and items that are only available for a small window of time. Seems logical, no? I just get excited. I've sort of learned how

"brick" chicken!

2013-03-06T22:27:00.000-05:00

I've been wanting to cook some version of brick chicken for a long.....yes, long long time. Why have I not? Good question! Excuses. I'll just cook chicken breast. Maybe just roast a whole chicken. I don't even have a brick! You name the reason, I probably utilized it on more than one occasion. Maybe I was just scared to cook it and thought it'd be more of a pain in the behind than it

let the dandelion shine

2013-02-13T23:49:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I see an ingredient at the store, and all of a sudden envision myself throwing a lavish dinner party for 24 people. Seriously, who needs more than one bunch of dandelion greens when she knows fairly confidently that she'll be eating it all herself? I surely don't, but apparently my brain thought otherwise. That being said, I definitely needed to do SOMETHING with these greens...

zesting up winter

2013-01-26T10:36:00.004-05:00

What better than a little zestiness to brighten up the COLDEST WEEK IN THE HISTORY OF WEEKS EVER!? Okay, so maybe that's not exactly true...but it was definitely close. We've been blessed with a not-so-cold winter thus far, so a chill was bound to happen. Hitting the teens and "real-feel" singular/negative temperatures definitely did not bode well on most of the population, to say the least

Pomegranate Party!

2013-01-09T14:28:00.000-05:00

How is it already 2013? I don't know about you, but 2012 flew by. Lots of milestone events, plenty of good times, and a whole lot of excitement, that's for sure! I hope it was the same for all of you! I decided to kick off the New Year with a recipe using one of winter's most beloved (or hated?) fruits. The pomegranate. I really forgot how obnoxious it is to get the seeds out of this fruit

revisiting spaghetti squash

2012-12-05T17:57:00.000-05:00

It seems as though winter is the time of year to cook things that are ROCK FREAKING HARD! I'm talking rutabagas, sweet potatoes, every other potato, winter squashes, and beets, just to name a few. And loads of brassicas! Not that it's necessarily a problem, but sometimes my shopping bag gets a tad too heavy. And is it so tough to ask for some fruit in this situation? Yes, I know, all of

soup a l'oignon

2012-11-20T12:24:00.001-05:00

Well friends, it has been quite some time! I've had to take a quasi-hiatus when it comes to cooking - sadly, a broken foot has put me out of commission for most things. No running around to my markets as per usual (I can't even carry anything.), no work, no play! Who knew a broken foot would be such a Debbie Downer. Woe is me. Fortunately, I have a really cool storm trooper looking boot,

A Word on Sandy

2012-11-05T12:10:00.001-05:00

Due to Hurricane Sandy, there's a slight delay in posting for SST. I urge you all to donate to the Red Cross - providing shelter, food, and simply emotional support to those affected by the storm. To donate, visit www.redcross.org, call 800-Red-Cross or text the word "Redcross" to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Sandy rolled in like a bat out of hell on October 29. Sadly, because

Thai Glazed Salmon with Brussels Sprouts and Eggplant

2012-10-21T18:07:00.001-04:00

Well friends - it's been awhile, but I'm back in action. Things have still been cookin' in the kitchen, but alas, sometimes I let the time fly and things slip past me. Either way, I'm back at you with a simple and delicious recipe! Of course, inspiration arose from the items I picked up at the farmer's market. Brussels sprouts still on the stalk? Check. And orange Turkish eggplants? Check

pumpkin time

2012-10-03T09:18:00.001-04:00

Pumpkins are EVERYWHERE! At my local bodega, at all the stands at the farmers market, in every grocery story....but I guess that's what happens when fall hits. An uber-abundance of pumpkins! I figured someone needed to help in depleting the massive quantities of pumpkins that are all around the city, so of course I stepped in to assist. This kind of reminds me of a time back in Michigan -

duel of the pozoles

2012-09-28T12:30:00.001-04:00

We all know my strange affinity for Mexican flavors...especially when the hot months roll around (and copious amounts of margaritas are seasonally appropriate). But that strong urge to eat tacos, guac, and elote in (probably) unhealthy amounts at an alarming frequency tends to dissipate once the smell of fall is in the air. That is, unless I'm making a mole. But who has time to make mole?

duck a l'orange sanguine

2012-09-13T23:08:00.001-04:00

I'm sure you've noticed the weather has been a bit crisp as of late (unless you live in the desert...or Hawaii)...September is definitely coming at us in full force, getting us ready for a beautiful fall season. That being said, the Fall gloves are out, the scarves are hung, and my Member's Only jacket has been dusted off. Yeah, you heard me right. Member's. Only. Jacket. I may be the

Turbot-charged

2012-09-07T01:12:00.000-04:00

The passing of Labor Day has really put my transition from summer to fall MO at full speed, whether or not we still have 85 degree days to look forward to. So, before I really got into the autumnal flavors routine, I had one last hurrah with the summer time goods. Super fresh corn and actually good tomatoes - you'll be gone soon enough, and all too quickly! But seriously, it's kind of sad.

fumbling with dumplings

2012-08-27T21:30:00.000-04:00

Recently, I was presented with the challenge of making dumplings for the evening's appetizers. Well, first off, I could have been rude and just made some sort of strange Czechoslovakian dumpling (read: dough ball), or maybe gnocchi, but that would have sabotaged my evening of eating as well. Naturally, the man was thinking about dim sum style dumplings. But what kind?! Scrimps? Mixed

macho gazpacho

2012-08-17T09:21:00.004-04:00

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bringin' radishes to their roots

2012-08-10T11:53:00.002-04:00

I'm pretty sure the Holy Trinity of the food world is flour, water, and yeast. I mean think about it: three simple ingredients that come together to magically make that risen delight that everyone loves (or loves to hate, you carbophobes!). Bread brings people together. You break bread amongst those you want to welcome. But, alas, this post is NOT about bread. I'm just getting y'all

tomfoolery: a play on sweetness

2012-08-02T17:47:00.002-04:00

Well friends, it's been too long - but I'm back in action! Things have been getting all sorts of crazy, but as always, in a good way. Heck, even my fishmonger and veggie guys were asking where I've been - so that might be a sign that frankly, it has been too long! Needless to say, I'm glad to get back in the kitchen to experiment. I've had a hankering to hit up the farmer's market for

keepin it currant

2012-07-19T16:52:00.000-04:00

I sometimes have a strange...yet SERIOUS hankering for Middle Eastern food. I can't go too long without a nice creamy hummus, a smokey baba ghanoush, or solid grilled shisk taouk with garlic sauce. Some may say that's the Metro Detroit in me....but I frankly say it's because it's all downright delicious. No funny business - just straightforward ingredients with amazing spices to boot.

Blah, blah...lablabi.

2012-07-12T20:56:00.000-04:00

The last thing you'd think to make on a hot summer's day is a spicy stew. Well, apparently, every culture in the world eats something SPICY to cool themselves off - it forces them to sweat. Ergo, hot sauce, et al. Maybe not stews. But what's stopping me? I stopped off at the market to find some beautiful fresh chickpeas, and I couldn't resist picking them up. I'm pretty sure that if it

milk & honey (& pepper)

2012-07-03T17:08:00.001-04:00

Sometimes we all go on an ingredient kick...right? Well, I obviously do, and my current ingredient happens to be goat's milk. Pretty random, I know, but would you expect anything less from me? The goat's milk panna cotta was pretty poppin' - a delicious little savory custard if I do say so myself. And I freakin' love goat cheese. (Especially Ardith Mae - gimme gimme!) Beet green crostini

holy mackerel!

2012-06-27T19:34:00.001-04:00

Holy mackerel is right! My favorite fishmonger had some b-e-a-utiful wild Spanish mackerel fillets today, and it was hard for me to resist. Maybe I'm lacking Omega-3s and -6s? Hence the sudden craving? Probably not - these guys were just to good lookin' to pass up. Fortunately, I had also picked up some various vegetables and goodies at the market that I figured I could manage to throw

earth's bounty

2012-06-22T12:22:00.000-04:00

Well, it's officially summer time! And Mother Nature sure as heck guaranteed that we were aware of it, at least here in New York. It's been, and will be for the coming few days, close to 100 degrees! That is crazy. I walked outside and nearly got punched in the face by the heat...seriously. That being said, I'm not really complaining. I like the heat, as long as there's not 100% humidity

boar hunting in the city

2012-06-12T14:07:00.001-04:00

What started off as a leisurely Sunday - one of the first Sundays I've had off in a long, long time - ended up being an amazing roving feast of deliciousness. Between being caught up in the act of my new gig and the excitement of a restaurant opening amongst other things, I had all but forgotten about the glories of NYC pre-summertime. Food crazies like myself run this city! Events,