The Great Potato.....Croquette

Ah the Potato Croquette.....many cultures have a version of it. And I haven't tasted one that I've haven't liked....but loving it is another story altogether. This would most definitely fall under the category of comfort food and I'm sure most of your Mom's ( or Dads) made a version that rings close to your heart. GREAT for a rainy day. But really, the beautiful thing about the potato croquette is that it is easy to make, low in cost and as is most important, easy to to make variations of, which I know you all love. And we will most certainly touch on those as we go along here. But we can't sit and lament all day. .....Let's prep....

Here's What You Need: (and this will make you about a dozen croquettes)

3 Large Potatoes (Russet or Yukon Gold work best here)
2-3 eggs
A fistful of Italian Parsley chopped ( You can also use a wee bit of basil here...lovely)
3/4 cup Freshly Grated Parmesan Reggiano (Under NO circumstance should you EVER use pre-grated Parm.....ever)
Breadcrumbs (I use Italian here but you can use other)
Olive Oil (you know what kind) 2-3 slices of Prosciutto
Some Fresh Mozzarella cut into small cubes or strips....SMALL...and wrap with prosciutto Onion Powder (adds a depth you've never expected)
3-4 Chicken Bouillon Cubes
Salt and FG Pepper to taste




OK folks to start you're basically making mashed potatoes here. SO....in a large pot combine the potatoes and cold water and bring to a boil until the potatoes are fork tender. Once the potatoes are cooked, dump the water and let the potatoes cool on the side. Once cool, just peel the skin with your fingers.

TPC NOTE: Instead of salting the water I put 3-4 chicken bouillon cubes in the water with the potatoes. It really changes the flavor of the potatoes and requires less salting later and adds another level of taste.Mash the potatoes as you normally would. Here I would use either a masher or if you have it, a rice it really makes them smoother in texture. Add one egg, the parmesan, the parsley (eyeball this as you may want to go a little less), about a teaspoon of the onion powder (but TASTE you may want more) and salt and FG pepper to taste. Mix it up with your hands and you're ready to make some logs! (If it's a little dry, you can add the other egg or even some milk)

Scoop a handful of the mix and make palm width size logs. Then press your index finger in to make a little indentation and fill with the prosciutto/mozzarella wrap. Continue until you're out of mix.



Roll each log in the last egg (beaten) and then in the breadcrumbs to cover. (No you don't need flour for this one).

On a high heat, in a large deep frying pan, fry each roll up in Olive Oil until they reach a nice brown color. This will happen pretty fast so don't go anywhere. Drain on a paper towel. Best if served warm soon after with some Marinara Sauce (homemade is best, but hell a little bottled sauce will do just fine, I won't tell).

TPC NOTE: This can be a wonderful side for a meat dish or this can be served on it's own and is quite satisfying.

OPTIONS:
Instead of the Mozzarella, Prosciutto wrap you can use:

• Just the mozzarella
• Just the prosciutto
• A little ragu (homemade rar!)
  
• Some ground beef
• Some ground sausage (hot would be fun!)
  
• Chopped spinach.....see where I'm going here....let your mind really wonder here!

WINE NOTE: For this dish I went with a tasty little bottle of Pinot Noir. a 2008 Francis ford Coppola Director's to be precise. What a wonderful compliment to the flavors of the croquettes.

Until we do this again....

Enjoy....Have Fun...and Eat Well!

TPC

Dining Alone? Yes Please...

There's in a scene in the movie The Thomas Crown Affair, where Thomas Crown, a wealthy investment banker who has it all yet loves to steal priceless works of art, comes home alone to his uber posh NYC home. In this scene he walks in, opens what I would assume to be an a amazing bottle of wine, pours himself a glass...looks at his most recent acquisition and raises a glass to it and to himself. All alone. Now I'm no Gazillionaire banker nor an "acquirer" of priceless works of art. I do however absolutely relate to this scene. Why? Because he is alone and he is enjoying that glass of wine and his surroundings....alone. I think there is something very special about dinning alone, in your place with your things surrounding you and there is an amazing amount of solace that comes with that. It is impossible to share this intimate moment, because the very essence of the point is to BE alone.

I equate it to cooking, because often after having a similar scene in my MUCH smaller NYC apartment with my glass of wine, I tend to move on to the cooking portion of my evening....again....alone. If you've ever taken a moment to notice some of the things you do when you're alone, you'd be amazed. With cooking, I often find myself setting a proper table setting. Hell, sometimes I even light a candle. (and yes this plate was just for me)


I am ABSOLUTELY conscious about plating probably even more so then when I have guests over. I am far from being a meticulous person, and yet there I am, carefully laying out a meal that would cost more than a pretty penny in a fine dining establishment. But I think (and maybe you agree with me on this maybe you don't) there is a fleeting preciousness in that time alone. You know I don't actually remember when I started caring about plating (I'm no chef remember) but I am quite certain that it was when I was dining alone. Cooking alone is a chance to dream...to wonder...to explore...well...just about everything in your life. It's there to take chances and be wrong and it being ok. Places like this are very rare indeed these days my friends. BUT....I don't need to tell you that, you already know....Don't you? Yeah. Me too.


Then comes the next character in our little play.. Some may even call it the main player, but to me it's just another character. Maybe the leading lady. The meal. When you are alone You cannot be judged on what you eat. It is all you. Your choice. Your desire. Your world....even if just for a few hours. You can make the simplest of meals or the downright strangest concoctions. Why? Because it's just you....no judges here. And we ALL have that special meal or two. You know the one I'm talking about, the one you just NEED to have sometimes. The one where you get that first whiff of a smell and the house around you beings to change and fade into familiar old time surroundings. You take that first bite and the haziness of those memories solidifies into reality. And boom there you are again. Back in that little place you call comfort.


We all have one dish, maybe even two or three. But the number is never large. If the number was large the scenario would no longer be intimate. And I would probably not be writing this thought. I have two or three, but I think the one that always just settles me down is probably the very simplest of meals. Just give me a bowl of pasta, two or three spoon fulls of ricotta cheese and cover it with homemade Marinara sauce. Hell it doesn't even have to be homemade marinara sauce. There's many a fine jar of marinara sauces out there which can most certainly get the job done. Grate some fresh parmesan cheese (and on this I won't substitute, it must be fresh) all over the top, maybe a drizzle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, some fresh bread on the side (which I will tear and NOT slice) and am truly in the very essence of the word, good.


But that is my little piece of soul comfort. We each have our own with all sorts of combinations. And none of them are odd. Why? Because they are ours....alone....with no one else to have an opinion but us. And this is a kind of wealth that anyone can own. I would love to hear some of the dishes that you guys do.

Until we do this again....

Enjoy....Have Fun...and Eat Well!

TPC

Summer Soup?....Spicy Roasted Red Pepper and Crab Soup

With the weather turning warmer you may not be thinking soup mode, but it's also a great time for garden vegetables and for seafood! I chose a fun mix of red peppers and crab and put together an easy soup for the spring and summer. And since you know I like things with a little spice to them we are looking to add some jalapenos as well to this lovely little dish. This is actually quite easy, just make sure you pay attention to TPC notes on this one. They are critical! OK Let's Prep....

Here's What You Need:

• 4 Red Bell Peppers
• 1-2 Jalapeno Peppers
• 1 Onion, chopped
• 2 Garlic Cloves, minced
• 3 cups Chicken Stock (or vegetable stock) bouillon cubes work fine
• 1 Potato cubed (adds a nice thickness)
• 1 Carrot shredded (adds a subtle sweetness)
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 2 Bay Leaves
• 3 Thyme Sprigs
• ½ lb Lump Crab meat (really rinse it)
• Sea Salt and FG Black Pepper, to taste
• Heavy Cream
• 1 Baguette and 1 Garlic Clove (sliced toasted and rubbed with garlic clove)

Roast the peppers directly on your stove top on the open flame. If you have an electric stove you can halve them and put them under your broiler until a nice black char shows. (About 15 minutes) Let cool and then roughly chop the roasted red peppers and set aside.

TPC NOTE: The heat from the jalapenos comes from the seeds and membrane. Adjust the heat you want by either leaving them there or removing them before chopping. ALSO the fumes from the jalapenos can be a little much so be careful and REALLY wash your hands when done handling the jalapenos. I have many a painful tale to tell you about not doing that correctly.

In a large pot, heat a splash of olive oil, add the onion, garlic, thyme, bay leaves some FG pepper then one cup of stock. Bring to a boil then lower the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes, until the onions and garlic begin to soften.

Add the carrots and potatoes and the rest of the stock. Bring to a boil again then lower the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes begin to soften.

Add the roasted red peppers and return to a boil. Cover and simmer about 10 minutes.

Remove from heat and allow soup to cool slightly. Transfer the soup to a food processor or use an immersion blender or even a regular blender and puree until smooth.

TPC NOTE: When blending the soup be very careful. Do it in two batches and make sure to put a towel on top of the blender cap to hold it down when blending, as the steam will pop the top and splash hot soup all over you....IE not good.

Return to the saucepan to reheat and adjust the seasonings (Salt and pepper). Add the crab meat, and simmer the soup just until the crab is heated through. Serve in shallow soup bowls. Add some crab meat to the middle of the bowl to create a little mound. Drizzle in the heavy cream and garnish with Italian Parsley, or Chives and a little FG Pepper. Place the baguette slices around the bowl. And there you have it!

WINE NOTE: Since we are probably serving this during the warmer days, feel free to serve with a crisp white or even some champagne.

Until we do this again....

Enjoy....Have Fun...and Eat Well!

TPC

Marinara Sauce: I just had to....

I really debated this one for a long time....when you open Pandora's box it is quite difficult, if not impossible, to close. And when you start talking about a Marinara Sauce.....you are opening Pandora's Box. Everyone has a version they love and most likely it is a version they grew up with that was cooked in their household. Or worse their favorite is out of a jar! And look, there are some good jars out there, maybe even very good. But please don't ever compare that to what can be done out of your own kitchen. Ever....

Marinara in its essence is not a complicated sauce. Which is also wherein its beauty lies. Now I'm not talking about "Sunday Gravy" here folks, which has different meats thrown in and sits for hours and hours (which is also amazing!). This is plain, simple and beautiful Marinara sauce. Though the origins trace it to southern Italy how it is made can be and is often disputed. One thing for certain is that it contains tomatoes. After that you will people get creative and argumentative. You will see onions, garlic, all sorts of herbs (Basil, Thyme, Oregano, Parsley), olive oil, cheese and maybe even peppers or olives. But I think once you get to peppers and olives you are on a whole different type of sauce here people. I keep mine very simple and use it as the base for many of my other tomato sauces. It is my favorite version because.....well....I adjusted until I was in love with it. And I've had people tell me so as well. BUT in the end, there's really only one thing to do. Grab a loaf or two of bread and keep on tasting and changing until you get what you like. OK...Let's prep...

Here's What You Need:

• 1 Onion, minced, diced or sliced depending on how you like your sauce to look
• 4 - 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 2 sprigs of Thyme
• 6 - 8 leaves of Basil
• 2 (28 oz) cans of whole peeled tomatoes (San Marzano if you can get them), broken up by hand and mixed well with their juices
• The rind of Parmesan Reggiano Cheese (yes the rind, it adds a wonderful depth of flavor, also good in soups!)
  
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Salt and FG Pepper to taste

In a large sauce pan or pot add a couple of splashes of olive oil and then add your onions and cook down about 5 minutes. Once the onions are soft and somewhat translucent looking you can add your garlic. Cook about another 5 minutes and then you can add your thyme and cook another 5 minutes.


TPC NOTE: Though you will see many recipes who add the garlic at the same time or even first, I find that since onions take longer to cook down, that when you add them first you are less likely to burn the garlic. And if you burn the garlic you HAVE to start all over again.

Add the tomatoes. Bring to a boil and then lower to a simmer, stir in half the basil and the cheese rind and stir every so often for about 45 minutes to an hour. The longer you leave it on the thicker it will be. So adjust according to how you like it. Continue to taste throughout and salt and FG pepper to your liking. About 5 minutes before you take it off the heat add the rest of the basil. And if you want....a pinch of dried oregano....shhhh.


WINE NOTE: The flexibility of this sauce stretches to the wines you can drink with it. You can really range here. But the tomatoes are really complimented with some nicely acidic wines, so you can do a Chianti or a fruity Sangiovese or on the white side a crisp Sauvignon Blanc.

I won't even go into how you can use this sauce or all the wonderful things you can add to it. I WOULD say that the first thing you should do is just have this on some pasta and try it as it is.....start there. Then....explore my friends!

Until we do this again....

Enjoy....Have Fun...and Eat Well!

TPC

Side Note: Not your Mother's Potato Salad

I just don't get it. Why does potato salad get such a bad rap? Is it because it is usually some pre-made, supermarket purchased, lumps of unseasoned potatoes drowned in a gallon or two of mayonnaise? Or because we have forgotten how such a simple little side dish could be so wonderful and satiating to the soul. No. It has become a side player. An afterthought for summer picnics used to finish out a plate laden full of wonderful grilled meats. Well not anymore my friends. We will not let this old and dear friend go quietly into the good night. It's time for action!

I stayed away from the mayo in this dish, but you are more than welcome to put it in. And I gave you variations of where you can add more or less depending on what you like. As we say.....have fun and taste to your preference. And PLEASE don't be put off by what looks like a lot of ingredients. This is easier than it looks.OK...Let's prep...

Here's What You Need:

• 2 lbs Yukon Gold, red potatoes or any type of fingerling potatoes
• Half to a whole cucumber, sliced paper thin (Use a mandolin if you have one, if not as thin as you can cut it)
• Pinch caraway seeds (these go in the boiling water with the potatoes, NYC chef trick and it's amazing)
• 1 Chicken Bouillon Cube (for 1 cup stock)
• 1 half Onion chopped (you can add more if you really like onions)
• 1 tbsp Dijon Mustard (only have Stone Ground Mustard, that's OK too)
• 1/4 cup Cider Vinegar (white wine vinegar, if that's all you have, will suffice)
• 2 - 3 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 2 tbsp Sour Cream (Optional, just as good without sour cream or mayo....or if you must...you can use mayo instead...ugh can't believe you did.)
• 1-2 tbsp chopped Dill (depending how much like dill)
• 4 Slices Bacon crisp and broken into small pieces (optional, try once without and once with)
• Sea Salt and FG Black Pepper to taste

Put the cucumber slices in a strainer over bowl, toss with 2 teaspoons salt, and set aside to allow the water to drain off the cucumbers. Press them later to push all the water out. This is important so you don't have watery Potato Salad.

In a pot of cold water cover the potatoes, add generous pinch of salt and caraway, bring to a boil, and cook until potatoes are just tender. Drain, peel, and slice into a large bowl while still warm. Season with salt and FG pepper.

TPC NOTE: I know the potatoes are hot but two things. ALWAYS peel them after you boil them and if you can TRY to mix in the ingredients while the potatoes are still warm. It makes ALL the difference in the infusion of flavor.

While the potatoes are boiling, in a saucepan, cook down half the onion and a quick swirl of olive oil. Add the chicken stock to the onions and simmer. Add to onion/stock mix gradually to the potatoes, and toss gently until you start to see a nice mix occurring. You may not need all the stock.

Fold in mustard, vinegar, oil and dill. (Trend to the lighter side here as you can and will ALWAYS add more a little later). Now bend down a bit and inhale...The dill really gives off a wonderful smell when it hits the warm potatoes....yeah!

Mix in the cucumbers and sour cream (if adding). TASTE! Add more salt, fg pepper, mustard and vinegar if needed.

Finally mix in the bacon if you are using it. You can even use JUST the bacon and leave OUT the cucumber. Try both! I always save a little more dill to sprinkle on when plating as it gives it a really nice look. And it is HARD to make potato salad look fancy. And there you have it. Feel free to pair with Burgers, BBQ Chicken, just about anything you'd use at a picnic. I do the sour "creamless" version with a nice Chicken Roast at home...very tasty.



WINE NOTE: If you're at a BBQ you're probably doing some ice cold beer, BUT a chilled down Riesling just adds to the refreshing quality of this rejuvenated dish!

Until we do this again....

Enjoy....Have Fun...and Eat Well!

TPC

Wine Break: The Zin of Zins....

You know you've done something right when there is a two year waiting list for your product. And you absolutely know you've done something right when a product cannot be mentioned without your name popping up as well. And when it comes to Zinfandels, you have to talk about Turley. For me Turley is one of those "wow", life changing wines. It truly changes the game of the wines you drink and maybe even the way you look at wines going forward. Turleys can range in a variety of prices, but the bottle I am looking at today will probably run around the $50 range. Now you may say "$50! TPC are you out of your mind!!!". Well the answer to that is obviously yes, but not because of this bottle of wine.

Look folks, I'm not saying this is your everyday table wine. But when a special occasion pops up and you want to sure a little something personal this wine can truly enhance just about any moment. I'll do a couple of bottles of Turley a year....and I have never ONCE regretted it, nor have any of my guests....nor will any of yours. OK...Let's pop the cork.

Though Turley offers many different bottlings (and I've never had a bad one mind you) we are focusing on one today that really stuck with me.

Turley "Dragon Vineyard" Howell Mountain Zinfandel 2007

From the moment you swirl this lovely dark liquid, you will catch on early that his is a big full bodied wine. As you put your nose further and further into your glass, close your eyes and you will really start to pick up that dark cherry and currant smells. You may also notice some licorice or even a earthy quality to it. But get in there and find out for yourself. Each nose tends to pick up different parts of the wine.

TPC NOTE: Because I KNOW you'll want to use this....Full bodied is a term that describes the "weight" of the wine in the mouth. Or it's texture if you will. A full bodied wine will have a big rich taste (high in alcohol) that stays with you even after swallowing. Or at least that's how it was taught to me.....It's quite lovely.

But the true pleasure of this wine comes from that very first taste. That jammy plum taste is instant and as the wine continues you will also pick up the spice and possibly a chocolatey essence. Swallow. Finish (keeping those eyes closed) and enjoy the lingering spice. Truly a pleasure. At least this was my experience....you just can't go wrong with a Turley.

Pair with some serious meats (ribs, steaks even burgers!), a nice red sauce (with sausages...yummm) or a some strong cheeses...OR of course just by itself.

Until we do this again.

Enjoy....Have Fun...and Eat (er drink) Well!

TPC

Creamy YET Light: Fettucine with Creamy Garlic and Lemon Sauce with Basil and Parm

If told you you can have a creamy pasta and yet it can still be light and refreshing you probably wouldn't believe me. I mean you'd still want it duh...BUT you probably wouldn't believe. Well....what if I ALSO told you that you can knock out this highly improbably meal in about 15 minutes. At this point you're now calling the men in the funny white coats to take me away. OR you're calling the rest of your family and introducing me to your closest single female family member. OK maybe just calling me over to make dinner then. Don't worry I'll still show...with wine.

Well this mythical dish DOES exist and you will love. Now I've taken an old Italian recipe and TCP'd it up a bit. This could almost give you hero status just for the speed alone to which you can whip this dish of love out. Ladies and Gentlemen I give you Fettuccine with Creamy Garlic and Lemon Sauce with Basil and Parm. OK....Let's prep...

• 1 lb of Fettuccine (This serves 4, divide if you want to go smaller)
• Two Lemons, one zested and juiced, and one just juiced White Wine (the drier the better, a Chardonnay works well, I used the Sancerre)
• Heavy Cream 3 tbsp
• Unsalted Butter Parmesan Reggiano
• Sea Salt and FG Pepper
• Extra V Olive Oil
• 4-6 Cloves of Garlic sliced
• About a dozen Fresh Basil Leaves chopped

I usually prep as I cook, but in this case prep everything before you prep. It's just easier and speed is of the essence here. Right? Trust TPC.

Drop your pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water. This will take about 8 minutes (for al dente).....so you have that much time to whip up the sauce. and trust me...plenty of time if you pre-prepped. Ah ha! TPC is good, TPC is wise...

TPC NOTE: This is Fettuccine folks and I don't know about you, but I have found that it can stick really easily, so make sure you are stirring often to keep the strands separated.

In a large skillet heat your butter, about med heat. Once the butter melts, throw in the grated lemon zest; stirring until you get a nice little sizzle sound going. (Always listen to your cooking!) Add your garlic slices and cook until soft (careful not to brown). Pour in some white wine (a couple of splashes about a cup)and the lemon juice. Salt and FG Pepper and bring to a simmer. Cover the skillet, and let cook for a couple of minutes.

TPC NOTE: FG Pepper is optional because people don't like the visual, BUT I love the taste soooo...I put it in. BTW Garlic and Basil are NOT typical in this meal...That's our little added secret too shh...

Uncover the pan, and slowly whisk in the cream. You're eyeballing the thickness here, but I wouldn't do more than a cup. Keep stirring until it reduces to a nice creamy saucy consistency (use your preference on how creamy) it'll be about 2 or 3 minutes more...tops.

With the cream sauce at a nice little simmer, grab some tongs and pull the fettuccine out of the water and drop right into the skillet. Toss the pasta until well coated, you can use some of the pasta water if it looks too thick.

OK kill your flame (this is critical...NEVER cook your Parm, it'll break up in your pan...or at least it could. THEN what are you going to do? Huh?) Sprinkle about a cup of grated cheese and the basil over the pasta and continue to toss well. Finish with just a drizzle of olive oil, toss again, and load up some warm bowls (also key here) with this creamy goodness. Serve immediately, with more cheese at the table (there' is ALWAYS more cheese at my table...as it should be at yours).

And that's it....who's the hero??....You're the hero.

WINE NOTE: I went with a Sancerre here because it was in the recipe and because I found it really accentuated the lemon in the dish.

Until we do this again....

Enjoy....Have Fun...and Eat Well!

TPC

Quick Wins: Pasta or Pasta?

One of the worlds most classic dilemmas is the age old question "Which came first the chicken or the egg?" But only slightly less classic is the question, "Which should I use, Dry Pasta or Fresh Pasta?"

People, people, please!....Breathe easy....I got this...Let's keep this simple. I'll give you some of the basic bullet points and rules of pastas, but remember when it comes to what it is best served with, there is NO law. In fact, it can be fun to break the law. And you know I always recommend trying new things. So if you want to do a fresh pasta with Ragu....by all means please do. Why not? I have.

DRY PASTA:

Made From: Water, Salt and Flour (Semolina is most common and BTW the law in Italy, it also gives it it's yellow color)
Storing: In the cupboard, if stored properly, almost indefinitely, but just go with the date on the box
Serving Size: A half pound serves two people
Cook Until: It's just "al dente" (to the bite in Italian) meaning the pasta gives a little bit of resistance when you bite down on it
Best Served: With your "big" sauces, your Ragu, Soups and baked dishes. (Also re-heats better than fresh)

FRESH PASTA:

Made From: Egg and Flour (What is called "00" or High Gluten flour is used)
Storing: Because of the egg this will not keep remotely as long as the dried, In the fridge for a few days (per package or you can freeze for a few months). I would freeze only the stuffed fresh pastas (Tortellini, Raviolis etc. as they seem defrost better)
Serving Size: Take the dried serving size and add 50%
Cook Until: It's just BEFORE "al dente" as you will be cooking this in the sauce and it cooks faster than dried. ALSO use MORE water than you typically boil pasta in as the flour from the fresh pasta can make it starchy.
Best Served: With your "delicate" sauces, your olive oil, butter or cream dishes (Alfredo.....yum)

Now I could go on for days about pastas and quality etc etc. But this is a "Quick Win" and remember there are high quality fresh and dried pastas. Just because it's fresh doesn't necessarily make it better. And in the end it still all comes down to taste, test, taste again...

TPC NOTE: Oh there is one rule that can't be broken....always...ALWAYS...have a nice glass of wine while you're cooking.

Until we do this again....

Enjoy....Have Fun...and Eat Well!

TPC

Brunch Series: Poached Eggs on a Baguette

Brunch...it holds a special place in our hearts.....it's almost like a legal weekly holiday. There is no rush. It is also about the celebration of relaxation..to sit and regale about the previous nights escapades or even just to catch up on the week. When you are there, you wish there was more with you.....and when you're not there, you feel the painful twang that you are somehow missing out on something. Yes brunch is quite special to us all. How could we not cover brunch at TPC?

In this series we are going to explore all that is good within brunch. We're going to try new dishes, create a few of our own and of course share all of it because that is the very essence of brunch and TPC.

I stumbled across this dish at a NYC restaurant not too long ago. It's basic concept of an open face breakfast sandwich displayed it's ease of preparation and it's flexibility to add new combinations. And you know how I love that. So let's jump into to this one....OK Let's prep..

Here's What You Need:

Eggs (Poached)
1 French Baguette (Halved then sliced open to create quarters)
Prosciutto
Goat Cheese
Tomatoes Sliced (Heirloom if you can find it, but a beefsteak is just fine) Olive Oil Garlic (To rub on the baguette)
Alfalfa Sprouts (or any small light greens)
Sea Salt and FG Pepper.

Take the halved baguette and place onto a hot grill pan and grill cut-side down over high heat until they get a nice crisp toasty look. Remove the grilled bread and rub with a clove of garlic that as been cut open to expose it's juices. Spread the top of the baguette with the goat cheese. Next place a few slices of prosciutto on each baguette. Then top each slice of bread with a few slices of tomato and the poached eggs (2 to each quarter). (Make sure you have drained all the water from the eggs before putting on the slices.) Salt and FG Pepper to taste. Drizzle some fresh EV Olive Oil on top of each slice and top with the sprouts.....so simple.


TPC NOTE: Feel free to try other variations. I've also used Smoked Salmon or even Sopressata for the meats and Blue Cheese or Marscapone as possible combinations. Get creative!


WINE NOTE: Really? Mimosa or go home.....ok you can also go with straight champagne (may I suggest a strawberry in it?). And even though this is a wine note...a spicy Bloody Mary would really get the appetite going for this delicious dish.

Until we do this again....

Enjoy....Have Fun...and Eat Well!

TPC.

Chops Revisited: Sage Pork Chops

We're talking chops again here folks but this time it's more along the kind you were thinking. Pork Chops...And maybe one day we will tackle those breaded hockey pucks you grew up with...but not today. There is just too many other spectacular things to do with this wonderful cut of meat. But for some reason people just do the "old reliable" breaded pork chops. People.....come on now! What is this all about?? Getting creative, having fun and eating some awesome food. Think of all the fun herbs you can put with it....rosemary.....thyme....sage. Throw in some garlic or onions. Liven it up with some citrus....lemons or even oranges.....don't let me stop you! You know how this works.

Today we're going to take one of those wonderful herbs and do our thing. Sage. Though I'm sure you have heard of it, more than likely you have never really cooked with it. And almost certainly only in the dried spice form. It's a very strong almost bitter (don't let that deter you, try it) spice and can certainly overpower a dish if you're not watching. But it is wonderful for cuts of meat with less fat on them as their flavor will need some "enhancing".

In this dish, we are pairing the sage and the pork in a delightful little duet that I'm hoping you'll like...and of course it's easy to do!....OK Let's prep....

Here's What Your Need:

2 pork chops; bone-in, about 3/4 to 1 inch thick
Olive Oil (Extra V)
6 fresh sage leaves whole
2 cloves garlic; thinly sliced
Sea Salt and FG Pepper (To Taste)
White wine (something you'd drink)
1-2 tbsp Unsalted Butter

Rinse your chops and pat dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper to taste. Then place one sage leave on each side of each chop. Press it on until it stays (you can wet a bit to help stick)

TPC NOTE: Make sure you take the meat out of the fridge and let come to room temperature before you put on the skillet. If it's still too cold it can alter how the meat comes out. In other words, your med rare could be rare because of the temperature imbalance.

Grab a large skillet and heat to medium-high. Add a couple of quick swirls of Olive Oil. Throw in the garlic for about a minute and then add your chops to skillet. Cover skillet and cook chops undisturbed for about 5-7 minutes on each side for a med rare. Adjust time according to thickness of chops. Transfer to warm plates. (let sit for about 10 minutes for the juices to settle).

Meanwhile in the back in the pan.....deglaze with a splash (1/2 cup or so) of white wine and the 2 remaining leaves of sage making sure to scrape up the lovely little bits of meat that stick to the pan. TASTE! If it's too bitter...add a pinch of sugar or even honey. Reduce until it thickens and serve over the chops. Feel free to serve with potatoes (mashed, whole, steamed), Brussels sprouts or broccoli, sauteed apples....so many choices. I went with fingerling potatoes, creamy Brussels and sauerkraut (with bacon and apples).

WINE NOTE: With this dish I went with a nice Pinot Noir, but you could also go white with a Chardonnay (especially if it's the one you used in your dish!)

Until we do this again....

Enjoy....Have Fun...and Eat Well!

TPC

Guest Cook Thursday: A Salad for the Busy!

With the nice weather upon us, you can't help but think of healthy salads and this week's guest cook was thinking JUST that. She's an "On the Go" kind of girl and she doesn't always have a lot time to spend in the kitchen. So instead, she put together a quick little salad that is quite filling and tasty. In fact it was so tasty, that she named it accordingly. Without further ado Ladies and Gentleman let me have dear Amanda present to you her "Salad of Deliciousness"...OK...Let's prep..

Why hello there TPC! Here is my information for my guest appearance on your blog..mwahahahaha.

Salad full of deliciousness ingredients (all of these are to your liking and how much you want to put in the salad):

Lettuce of your choice (I used a spring mix, but if you can get fresh red leaf lettuce = awesome)

Pancetta

Pistachios

Asiago Cheese (I used Parmesan this time around, but it tastes amazing with Asiago, too)

Homemade Balsamic Dressing:

1/2 C Olive Oil

1/3 - 1/2 C AGED Balsamic (depends on how Balsamicy you like your dressing)

1 TBSP garlic (or more if you like it extra spicy)

Salt and Pepper to Flavor

Start by cooking the pancetta to your liking. I like mine EXTRA crispy so I cook it until it's pretty much burned. Once it's cooked, set it to the side to briefly cool. Prepare your bowl of salad and top with pistachios, asiago cheese and pancetta.

To make the dressing, mix olive oil, aged balsamic, garlic, salt and pepper. I combined them in something I could shake to ensure thorough mixing. Pour over salad and serve!!!

Sounds super easy, and it is..that's what makes it so great. ANYONE can make this! But the flavors combined are wonderful! I've had it two nights in a row now! Great for a dinner salad or full meal! :)

Well there you have it folks....AND we all learned a new word today....Balsamicy!

WINE NOTE: For a Balsamic dressing you could hit two ways here. You could go red with a Dolcetto OR you could go white with a sweet Riesling......or if you're like me....try both!! OR get crazy and try a frizzante Lambrusco, which is kind of an Italian red slightly sparking wine!

Until we do this again....Keep those recipes coming in!

Enjoy....Have Fun...and Eat Well!

TPC

HNBM!!!

HAPPY NATIONAL BURGER MONTH!!!

Get Creative....

Make it sloppy....




and of course......Eat well!

TPC

Guest Cook Thursday: A Special Marinade

Our guest for this week went with an interesting yet incredibly versatile approach, and it was quite the delicious surprise. Instead of a straight up dish, she is sharing with us a homemade marinade and sauce that can be used on a whole assortment of dishes! Thank you Gina for letting go of what I'm sure has been your special secret for sometime.....well now you're famous. As with any good sharing of a secret we should hear it straight from the source. Gina...the stage is yours....OK....Let's prep....

Hey TPC!

Buckle up my friend because this is the best Asian marinade/sauce that will ever hit your pallet (but I'm a bit biased)! I always use to struggle with finding just the right stir fry sauce & marinade but finally nailed a recipe that is equally bold & flavorful.

This can be used with steak, chicken, shrimp as well as tofu. It's also a great dipping sauce for egg rolls. I recommend doubling, tripling or even quadrupling this recipe because you can keep the leftover sauce in the fridge for quick use in the future.

Ingredients:
3 TBS Dark Soy Sauce
1 TBS Tomato Ketchup (the secret ingredient)
2 Cloves Garlic, Crushed
1 TBS Fresh Lemon Juice
1 TSP Ground Coriander

Mix all ingredients until well combined (I use a magic bullet). If you want to get a little freaky, you can add a pinch of crushed red pepper to the mix...that'll kick things up a notch.

Coat your meat (or tofu) with the marinade for at least 1 hr to achieve maximum flavor. When it comes time for stir frying, add a bit to the pan but be sure to keep a little left over to drizzle on top of your heaping bowl of goodness.

I took a couple of pics of some beef & broccoli I made for dinner tonight. One is the "action shot" of it cooking in the wok with the saucy goodness and the other is the final plating (served alongside premium short grain brown rice).



Let me know what you think!

Gina

How about that kiddies? I'm already thinking of how many ways I can use this amazing little recipe.

WINE NOTE: Since you can't really pick a wine for just a marinade, here are some options on pairings: For a dipping sauce for egg rolls - some champagne. As a marinade for steak - go cab. On pork - I would go with a grenache. For noodle veggie stir fry - I would defer to what the meat would be that is mixed in.

Until we do this again....Keep those recipes coming in!

Enjoy....Have Fun...and Eat Well!

TPC

Wine Break: A Wonder from Down Under

I always appreciate when a guest brings over a bottle to one of my dinner gatherings (dinner party sounds so pretentious, doesn't it?). But I REALLY love when they bring something good that I have yet to sample. Just recently a good friend brought over a lovely bottle of wine from the "Land Down Under". It was a 2007 Mollydooker "Two Left Feet". Now I've had Australian wines before and as the fourth largest exporter of wine in the world, I am sure you have probably had an Australian Shiraz before as well. I've enjoyed many of the Mollydooker label before but I've never had a chance to try the "Two Left Feet". This is a very reasonably priced wine folks, that will taste way above it's pay grade. Hero moment here people....OK...Let's pop the cork.

2007 Mollydooker Two Left Feet

A blend of a blend of 68% Shiraz, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 15% Merlot, this is quite an approachable wine at a reasonable price. Now they say that you can cellar this wine for 5 years or so.....but come on....really. I mean have you ever tried to hold on to something that is so tasty and NOT drink it within 5 days of buying it? It's the proverbial red button with the label DON'T PUSH, that you just HAVE to push! But I digress. I would say go pick up two bottles, have one now...like right now....and TRY to cellar the other one.

The first thing you'll notice upon pouring is the color. Oh the color. You cannot help but be struck by the deep purple almost ink black visual texture of this wine. The next thing you'll pick up on is the nose. This is a BIG wine that has a black cherry almost chocolaty scent to it. But please, get your nose in there and tell me what you're picking up on. With a prologue like that, the taste does NOT disappoint. You'll pick up on the fruity flavor right away and continue to enjoy a nice spicy finish. Stop,savor. enjoy.....

Like I said this is a BIG wine and if you are going to pair this with food (and you certainly don't need to) I would say go with a big meat dish. A steak would do quite nicely, though we paired this with an Italian Braciole (kind of a rolled up meat dish) and it worked wonderfully. You don't want this glass to end.

Until we do this again.

Enjoy....Have Fun...and Eat (er drink) Well!

TPC
.

Side Note: Asparagus with some Oh!

Kicking off a new segment here at TPC. It's called the "Side Note". In this we hope to explore some quick and easy side dishes that can stand alone (with a glass of wine of course) or compliment many of your favorite main dishes. I'll try to keep the whole section as short as possible (though I DO love to hear myself talk...or write in this case)

This surprising little side dish can be whipped up in about ten minutes and will be sure to inspire your guests to give off a slight, "oh!" as they gobble it down. We turn to the asparagus to be the star of this side. Asparagus, an easily recognizable green high in vitamins, dietary benefits and antioxidants, has a very unique taste and can often take the lead in any dish it is added to. Knowing this we are just going to let it stand on it's own here with some lovely spices to play off it's unique taste. But enough..keeping this short....Let's Prep.

Here's What You Need:

• 1 Bunch fresh Asparagus
• 1-2 Garlic Clove sliced
• Red Pepper Flakes
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Sea Salt and FG Pepper to taste
• Half a Lemon

Heat the olive oil (just a couple of quick swirls from the bottle) in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Throw a pinch of the red pepper flakes and a turn or two of the fg pepper to infuse the oil with some wonderful spice. Add the sliced garlic and asparagus, salt and another fg pepper turn or two; cover and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until asparagus is tender. It should have little hints of dark color letting you know she's ready for plating. Turn off the heat, squeeze a little lemon juice on the asparagus and serve it right up.

Great with beef and pork dishes OR cut up the asparagus, toss with pasta (and a little pasta water) and some freshly grated parmesan cheese and you're golden.

WINE NOTE: As this is somewhat Italian in it's background, let's do an Italian wine with it. You could go with either a Barbera or Primitivo both which compliment really well with a dish that has a little kick to it. Or get fancy and have a Franciacorta, which is a sparkling wine from Lombardy

Until we do this again....

Enjoy....Have Fun...and Eat Well!

TPC,

Roman Simplicity: Cacio e Pepe e??

You know, just because a meal is simple in its ingredients, doesn't mean that it is simple in its taste. Sometimes the fewer the ingredients, the greater the variance in the flavors of the dish. Or at least that's what I've found. Give me a simple peasant dish which has been passed down through the ages and I will tell you you will be eating pure culture. And it...is....delicious.

Today we're going to look at a simple pasta dish from Rome (and many pastas dishes from Rome subscribe to the philosophy of simple, few ingredients, yet tasty...and so should we!) called Cacio e Pepe. Which is simply Cheese and Pepper. Simple right? Now if you Google this you will probably find pages and pages of recipes, and by all means try them all. But through some slight variations I really think I've nailed this bad boy. But in the end....you my fine foodie friends, can be the judge and jury. OK.....Let's prep...

Here's What You Will Need:

1 pound dried Spaghetti (You can vary on thickness and Dry v Fresh if you want, all are good)
4-5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano plus extra for serving (MUST BE FRESHLY GRATED....or it just won't be the same, don't be lazy)
Sea Salt
Coarsely FG Black Pepper (don't even think about using pepper powder)
1-2 Garlic Cloves sliced (This is TOTALLY a TPC thing and therefore optional...don't say no....say maybe)
2-3 tbsp unsalted butter (Optional as well)

Bring water to boil in a large pot. THEN salt the water. Throw in the pasta and cook until al dente.

While the pasta is cooking, in a large frying pan heat up the FG pepper and the olive oil on a med high heat until the pepper start to fry up a bit. You'll see it bubbling in the pan and most of all you will SMELL it ahhhhhhhh. OK FOCUS!.....drop the heat to low until you're ready to put the pasta in.

TPC NOTE: Another variation I've seen often is toasting the pepper in the pan by itself for about 30 seconds then adding the oil....have to admit....this is also tasty. So.....of course...try both...

Right before the pasta is almost ready, add the garlic to the pan and raise the heat. You can also add the butter here which gives a wonderful depth to the flavor. BUT I get the health aspect, so you can skip the butter and still absolutely LOVE this dish.

Using tongs, transfer pasta to the pan; spreading it out as evenly as possible. (Don't throw out the pasta water yet). Drop the heat to low so the cheese doesn't separate. Start adding the parmesan over pasta; tossing vigorously to combine until sauce is creamy and clings to the pasta without clumping, about 2 minutes, adding some pasta water if necessary to get the creamy texture you want.

Immediately transfer to a large warm serving bowl or the individual warm personal bowls. Grate some more cheese on top. A "little" more pepper fresh and just a drizzle of olive oil, which adds very subtle fruitiness to the dish. Leave out an additional bowl of grated cheese to add as you go.


TPC NOTE: The difference between Hero and Zero here is what you do with the bowls. PLEASE warm them up (in the oven or just with hot water, hell I've even taken them right out of the dishwasher at serving). If you serve them in cold bowls, the dish will congeal in minutes and all of that hard work was for naught. Sure, it's still tasty, but not even close to what it could be. Warm bowls keep the dish nice and creamy.

WINE NOTE: You can go with a nice Cab here as it blends well with the FG pepper (almost like steak). A big Zin is always safe. On the white side I did it with a nice Sancerre (yeah I've been here before) and it was also very tasty.

Until we do this again....

Enjoy....Have Fun...and Eat Well!

TPC

Guest Cook Thursday: PDG and Brats!

This Thursday's guest cook shows just how creative you can be when you are forced to use what you have around you. You would be amazed what you can come up with. Seriously folks, I can't tell you how many fantastic meals I have come up with by this method. Though to be honest, I often forget to write down what I did...but never again!

My friend Clark was not to be put off by small hurdles either. He adapted and overcame what would normally stop the"lazy cook"....which we all...are NOT. But why listen to me when he can tell you for himself. Ladies and gentlemen I present to you Clark and his ..PDG and Brats....Let's prep..

"Dude,

I made the best thing tonight by chance and thought I would share with you. I had a hankerin for pico de gallo, but nothing else planned. I threw some things together and it happened to work out beautifully.

Here's what I did:

Pico de Gallo (PDG)-

My redneck store didn't have fresh peppers, so I used canned. I was depressed about that, but it was still good. Next, I diced up a tomato and half a red onion. For the spices, I went heavy on the cilantro and fresh lime juice, but you can do it to taste. Oh and one garlic clove. Make sure to get the "seedy gunk" out of the tomatoes and don't forget the salt and pepper (always to taste).

Then-

I poached some Johnsonville brats (I'm sure u have better options in NYC ) in beer and the other half of the red onion left over from the PDG. Make sure not to boil them or they will break open and lose their juice. I'd wait until you see the juices flowing under the skin. Then brown them up in a frying pan, to get that extra taste you know so well. In the mean time, I toasted pita bread in a 375 oven. Don't over toast because you want the the pita to soak up all those juice from the brats.

I dropped the brats on the pita, sliced them a little in the middle to let some of the juice out into the pita, smothered with PDG. Fold up and enjoy. Its kind of a simple mish mash, but it was awesome!

If your blog turns into a travel channel food/travel show, I think you will need a chubby pale sidekick to get drunk and add some comic relief. I know a guy.

Clark"

See? Just a dash of ingenuity, a pinch of creativity and voila you have a great little dish of love there. Heck I'd even chop a jalapeno pepper to bring the heat. Sounds like it would go great with some ice cold beers on a warm day watching the sun go down in the back yard. Sign me up for that please!

Until we do this again....Keep those recipes coming in!

Enjoy....Have Fun...and Eat Well!

TPC

Restaurant Review: Blue Ribbon NYC

You've been out on the town. You've been enjoying yourself probably more than you should, when suddenly....you are gripped by the unreasonable and uncompromising vice of hunger. You crave a cornucopia of dishes that will ease this growling in your belly. And in this, there will be no negotiating.....If you've been there (and we've ALL been there) then there is only place of safe haven for you. Blue Ribbon Brasserie in SOHO NYC.

As I would always recommend you reserve a table, you just may not have that luxury, so grab a slice of pizza on the way over because....as is NYC....you will be at the bar for awhile waiting for your table (which is OK, as it's open until 4am). The one slice will keep the beast of hunger at bay JUST long enough....and yes that qualifies as a TPC NOTE!

Now...once that is settled...let's keep this simple no need for deep thoughts here. Let's order....

The Fried Oysters (Quite possibly the best I've ever had.....quite possibly)
The Fresh Oysters (Yes I like Oysters...I mean right?) They have a SERIOUS Raw Bar
The Cheese Fondue.....WITH the extra Kirsch on the side please.
The Foie Gras Terrine....good lord. Don't be scared of Foie Gras!
The Beef Marrow & Oxtail Marmalade....off the charts savory, this can be your main dish. But why, when you can share more plates?


Their fried chicken is said to be one of the best in Manhattan, so if you have the room....why not.....go for it.

Do that......Just....just do that....Trust Rob....

Um I think they serve main entrees too....but did I mention the Beef Marrow????

Did you reserve yet?...go....now....do it. I'll wait.... Until we do this again....

Enjoy....Have Fun...and Eat Well!

TPC