I’ve never made tortilas before, but with a small batch (about 2 cups) of freshly ground whole wheat flour leftover from breadmaking, I was itching to try it. Three things I learned today from making this batch: – Use a little more shortening – Roll them out thinner – The flavor is fantastic When I…
First Attempt at Making British Bangers
A long time ago, on my first business trip to the UK, I stumbled down the hotel stairs that first morning still suffering from jet lag. Fortunately the breakfast buffet was wel stocked. That was my first introduction to British Bangers. I'd never tasted a sausage quite like them before. Instant addiction. Since that day,…
Bacon Butty
No, not 'buddy', 'butty'. A bacon butty is a British bacon sandwich, and is one of those simple pleasures in life that everyone should experience at least once. The Bacon British bacon, not American bacon. My British friends practically go on a rant when the subject of bacon comes up. Now I know why: There…
We Have Sausage!
After stuffing one sleeve of hog casings, we had exactly enough sausage left over for a patty, which I promptly fried up. I served half to my Sweet Lady Wife who said, "Oh I don't want all that, I want just one little bit." Three nanoseconds after popping that little bit in her mouth she…
Smoked Chick and Broccoli Salad
Last weekend I roasted a whole chicken in the smoker. My wife and I ate part of it (one breast half and the wings). I carved the rest and put it in the refrigerator. My wife then made a chicken and broccoli dish with it. Small florets of broccoli mixed with some shredded pieces of…
Smoked Whole Chicken
Confession: by the time I remembered to take this photo it was almost too late. I roasted a checkin in the Bradley Smoker today and it culd not have been simpler or better tasting! I brined it for 2 hours, put it on one of thse 'beer can chicken' things so it sat upright, and…
In Search of Authentic British Bangers
A long long time ago I made frequent business trips to the UK. I still remember the first morning of my first trip. Still suffering from jet lag, I stumbled down the hotel stairs to the room in which breakfast was being served. It was buffet style. Amongs the eggs, bacon and other stuff were…
Zucchini Salad With Fresh Herbs
I've finally found a zucchini dish that my Sweet Lady Wife actually likes. (sound of little happy dance.) Stroll right now on over to Amazon.com and buy a copy of La Tartine Gormande by Beatrice Peltre. I've been following her blog for a long time but acquired her cookbook only a few days ago. Her…
Simple Pan Sauce Turns Ordinary Hamburger Patty into Something Special
You've just come home from a tough day at the office and you are really too exhausted to cook up something special. You've decided to settle for frying up hamburger patties. How about turning them into Hamburger au Poivre? You need some dried minced onions, a few grinds of black pepper, and some beef broth….
No Pink Slime at A.J.’s Fine Foods
With all the talk about major supermarket chains adding Pink Slime to their grand beef, I contacted AJ's Fine foods and asked if they use it. Their reply was that they absolutely do not: "Aj’s has never added anything to our ground beef. We grind all our beef daily and use all the trimmings from…