I’ll admit I don’t know too much about Irish cooking, but I do know the Irish can make incredibly flavorful and satisfying food from simple ingredients, and no one is better with potatoes. Champ is so deceptively simple; you won’t believe the rich flavor. Add this to any meal and it’s instantly a simple St. Patrick’s celebration. Champ Irish Mashed … [Read more...] about Champ: Irish Mashed Potatoes with Green Onion
Vegetables
Simple Beef Pho
Soup seems to be a universal comfort food. The French have their onion soup, the Italians minestrone, and Moroccans love harira. For me, to be honest, tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich are the most comforting combination on earth. And Vietnamese pho is certainly part of this long list. My parents are big fans of a Vietnamese restaurant near the neighborhood, but I … [Read more...] about Simple Beef Pho
Corn and Blue Cheese Chowder with Bacon
There are moments in the kitchen when you remember why you love to cook so much. That flash of personal genius that leads to the creation of something really great. A perfect moment of synergy when you find a way to combine your favorite ingredients into one sublime dish. This Corn and Blue Cheese Chowder, begun and ended with smoky, crispy bacon represents that moment for … [Read more...] about Corn and Blue Cheese Chowder with Bacon
Roasted Carrot and Cumin Soup
In the many years I was planning events professionally, clients hosting lavish buffets, or even rather simple ones, always came around to that one question – “Shouldn’t we serve some kind of vegetable that’s, you know, healthy?” Not creamy spinach dip, or cheesy stuffed mushrooms, but something that would presumably appease the guest who didn’t want, well, food. Caterers were … [Read more...] about Roasted Carrot and Cumin Soup
Foldin’ Money Cabbage
So we’ve discussed that Black-Eyed Peas are good luck on New Year’s Day, representing any number of things. Greens are said to bring prosperity in the New Year, largely because they represent foldin’ money. Many people choose to cook up a mess of collards or turnip greens, but I choose cabbage, for what represents a stack of good green money more than cabbage. … [Read more...] about Foldin’ Money Cabbage
