THIS: Last night we tried the St. Louis Ribs again, but this time I cooked them at higher temp and for more time in the sous vide. As I had hoped they were even better this time. More experimenting to come for the Franken-Ribs! THAT: Tonight we have the tech rehearsal for my short play … Continue reading This, That, and The Other Thing
Food
Franken-Ribs, the kitchen tale
I know I promised another review but circumstances require I put that off and relate a cooking adventure. You see, I like to play with my food. I recently became aware of a kitchen toy, I mean tool, called a stovetop smoker. My mind immediately turned to pork ribs, a category I have never been … Continue reading Franken-Ribs, the kitchen tale
National Cognac Day
Ok, I admit it. I like a number of different alcohol beverages. But my very favorite is cognac. The perfect post meal sip, cradled by my hand in a snifter, I get a special warm feeling as I close my eyes, the fire in the hearth crackling, resting from reading a book of French poetry, … Continue reading National Cognac Day
National Macaroon Day
Today is National Macaroon Day. You may think of the coconut cookie but I think of the French confections made of egg whites and delicious magic. It was a terrible burden but we decided to taste test several versions from Chelsea shops here in Manhattan to decide which was best. You're welcome. There was a … Continue reading National Macaroon Day
Gotta Get Graeter’s
Have you tried Graeter's Ice Cream? Founded in Cincinnati in 1870 they still make ice cream by hand 2 1/2 gallons at a time in a French Pot. What is that? You gotta see it: https://www.graeters.com/french-pot-process-ice-cream They have amazing regular flavors and tempting seasonal flavors (we just tried their Rocky Road, not available again until … Continue reading Gotta Get Graeter’s
National Escargot Day
I love all kinds of cuisines, including French. One of their signature dishes is escargot and is one of my favorites. Some people can't get around the base of the dish, delicious snails. But they now send positively tame compared to some of the adventurist food programs on cable TV. Essentially escargot is a delivery … Continue reading National Escargot Day
National Cherry Cobbler Day
Today is National Cherry Cobbler Day. I have always marveled at these craftsmen and worry that automation will make them obsolete. You have heard the stories of the cobbler's kid who have no cherries? That's the pits. Okay, I know when I've worn out my welcome and driven this topic into the ground. Have a … Continue reading National Cherry Cobbler Day
National Buttermilk Biscuit Day
Nothing beats a nice buttermilk biscuit. Perfect for honey or jam. Lovely for a breakfast sandwich with an egg and sausage. Absolutely necessary for a base with sausage gravy. Or heavenly just as a platform for butter. There is little else that I make that requires buttermilk so I seldom bought it. Until I discovered … Continue reading National Buttermilk Biscuit Day
National Eat What You Want Day
This may be one of my favorite National Days and one that basically includes all the other ones listed on this blog. It was founded to be an excuse to break your diet for one day, to indulge so that you are ready to go back to your dreary food life tomorrow having sated yourself … Continue reading National Eat What You Want Day
Are Swedish Meatballs really Turkish?
Great article in the New York Times this morning revealing that the famous Swedish Meatballs come from a recipe originating in Turkey (Ottoman Empire) back in the early 18th Century. Turkey crowed and Sweden swooned but the article included a recipe. You can find it here... https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/02/world/europe/swedish-meatballs-turkey.html?module=WatchingPortal®ion=c-column-middle-span-region&pgType=Homepage&action=click&mediaId=thumb_square&state=standard&contentPlacement=3&version=internal&contentCollection=www.nytimes.com&contentId=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2018%2F05%2F02%2Fworld%2Feurope%2Fswedish-meatballs-turkey.html&eventName=Watching-article-click So, of course I had to try it. … Continue reading Are Swedish Meatballs really Turkish?
National Pigs in a Blanket Day
Today is National Pigs in a Blanket Day, when we celebrate flaky crust surrounding a meat product of vaguely mysterious origins. I don't want to ruin your enjoyment of these tasty snacks, but remind you to always eat kosher hot dogs. Trust me, you do not want to hear the stories of my younger days … Continue reading National Pigs in a Blanket Day
National Garlic Day
Today is National Garlic Day. Boy do I love garlic. Two hints, one I learned in the last year, the other a long time ago. This year I learned to make garlic chips. Thinly slice (there is a great device for this, much like a mini mandolin) the garlic cloves. Heat a shallow layer (but … Continue reading National Garlic Day
Having fun with a Raclette (the device, not the cheese)
As noted here, yesterday was National Fondue Day. As it happens I had been considering getting a fondue set and looked on Amazon.com. It slid in a recommendation for something called a Raclette. I was familiar with the cheese by that name, a perfect melting cheese good for sandwiches and other applications but had never … Continue reading Having fun with a Raclette (the device, not the cheese)
National Cheese Fondue Day
Today is National Cheese Fondue Day and I am supposing that pretty much everyone here knows what fondue is. But when I was growing up in the sixties and seventies it was exotic and very special. My parents had an electric fondue kit and when it was on the dinner table it was a special … Continue reading National Cheese Fondue Day
National Chocolate Mousse Day
Today is National Chocolate Mousse Day, a serious effort in the kitchen and a seriously delicious dessert. I learned how to do it in cooking school but have not made it for quite some time. Maybe I should try again. Strap in tight, not for beginners. In a medium saucepan bring 2 inches of water … Continue reading National Chocolate Mousse Day
National Sourdough Bread Day
Yesterday was not only April Fools Day and Easter Sunday but also National Sourdough Bread Day. I have kept a sourdough starter since I first visited San Francisco two decades ago. To be clear a sourdough starter takes on the flavor of the local yeast particles (which is less scary than Yeats particles and unlikely … Continue reading National Sourdough Bread Day
National Black Forest Cake Day
I have made no secret on this blog that I, as a class, prefer pie to cake. With one notable exception. Black Forest Cake. The combination of cherries, chocolate and delicious cream changes the equation. Happy National Black Forest Cake Day. I'll be back later. I have to gain 12 pounds at one sitting. Yum. … Continue reading National Black Forest Cake Day
National Ravioli Day!
Happy National Ravioli Day - one of my favorite foods. While these delicious dough pillows can be filled with exotic flavors they are just as fine with grated cheese and ground meet. I have only tried making ravioli from scratch a few times with notably mixed success, but then there are plenty of places to … Continue reading National Ravioli Day!
National Pi Day
Today is known as National Pi Day based on the first three digits of the apparently endless stream of numbers that define the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter and also coincidentally echoes today's date 3.14 (March 14th). There are endless puns comparing the circular nature of pie and the mathematical constant that … Continue reading National Pi Day
National Meatball Day
The once lowly meatball is in the spotlight today. Once a method to extend limited meat resources by adding some breadcrumbs and egg as a binder with some herbs and other flavors thrown in, it is now a culinary category. In New York you can find multiple restaurants based around the meatball. In recipes everywhere … Continue reading National Meatball Day
The Sweet Shop
While I am consulting for Sotheby's I found a wonderful neighborhood establishment. A family run enterprise at 404 East 73rd Street, come and visit The Sweet Shop. In a tiny enclave you will find a wide variety of sweet goodies, classic candies, fresh cookies and small batch ice cream. They have nearly anything you want … Continue reading The Sweet Shop
National Banana Bread Day
Today is National Banana Bread, the best way to use up those over-ripe bananas you bought earlier this week. I have several recipes but this is one of the better ones. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees, grease and flour only the bottom of a 9 inch loaf pan. Combine the following in a large … Continue reading National Banana Bread Day
National Cherry Pie Day
I cannot tell a lie I like my cherry pie. With flaky crust It seems I'm just a cherry pie kind of guy. In the old cake versus pie debate I land solidly into the pie camp. While I like many kinds (including fresh rhubarb) the cherry pie is my go to diner desert if … Continue reading National Cherry Pie Day
National Bagel Day
Today is National Bagel Day, a food whose origins are often debated. But there is no question there is no better bagel than one made in New York City. Many reasons are given but it is likely because of our clean unfiltered water piped in from the Catskills. In any case they are delicious. There … Continue reading National Bagel Day
National Nutella Day
Today is National Nutella Day. This delicious spread was invented in Italy after World War II when cocoa was rationed but hazelnuts were plentiful. By extending the chocolate flavor with the nut butter an irresistible treat was created. I enjoy it but do not crave it, unlike SOMEBODY who shall go unnamed. When I introduced … Continue reading National Nutella Day
Walter Thinnes 
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