It’s the last days of Summer, and that makes it time for me to do some spring cleaning. Fall cleaning. Fall cleaning! You see, with autumn come cooler weather and holidays. With both of those come lots and lots of cooking. Yes, even more than we already do! Heating up the house with the oven… Continue reading Organizing My Spices!
Visiting the Asian Market
I found myself in the Asian district the other day, which worked out great for me because it meant I got to pop into the really big Asian supermarket. I wish I could say I were an expert on Asian cuisines and that I venture into the market to find specific amazing international ingredients for… Continue reading Visiting the Asian Market
Salsapalooza 2014 — A Salsa Contest!
Two posts in a row? Yes, yes, a thousand times YES! This one dates back a few weeks though, so … Way back when I had some time to really get down to cooking, a friend of ours announced a salsa contest! About 40 folks got together, about 25 salsas, ranging in heat level from… Continue reading Salsapalooza 2014 — A Salsa Contest!
Easy Meal: Pasta Carbonara!
Okay so, I know I haven’t been around much and I have to sincerely apologize — between house guests, yard work, a clown, caretaker and character of a bulldog, and lots and lots of the kind of work that actually pays me, I’ve been kind of swamped! I felt it only right that one of… Continue reading Easy Meal: Pasta Carbonara!
Pasta Bolognese (Italian Meat Ragout)
Ever since we had John’s Baked Ziti a few weeks ago, I’ve been jonesing for pasta. I didn’t need anything particularly cheesy, but I really wanted the richness and comfort of some meaty noodles. Meaty. Noodles. I had always wanted to try to make a ragu/ragout style meat sauce, and started checking around for ideas… Continue reading Pasta Bolognese (Italian Meat Ragout)
Purple Potato Pancakes (Latkes)
I come from a pretty long line of German and Polish cooks. I really love to embrace the food, recipes and traditions of that heritage. I get so busy trying new things, it seems, that I wander away from the food of “my people,” but this week I had a hankering for some potato pancakes.… Continue reading Purple Potato Pancakes (Latkes)
Braised Beef: Pot Roast, Short Rib, Oxtail
A dear friend came to visit last week, and I couldn’t remember the last time I’d made him a meal, if ever. Since he’s a bachelor and a guest, I asked him to let me make a nice home-cooked dinner. He’s fond of pot roast, and as such, tonight at Casa Sass it is a… Continue reading Braised Beef: Pot Roast, Short Rib, Oxtail
Carnitas! (Fried Mexican Pork)
I have a soft spot in my heart for Mexican food. To me, Mexican food can be sort of the perfect comfort food. Once you get past really Americanized Mexican food and Tex-Mex (all of which have their place, and I dig on all of them), you find authentic Mexican food is an amazing mix… Continue reading Carnitas! (Fried Mexican Pork)
Escabeche (Mexican Pickled Carrots & Pickled Jalapenos)
I know I’ve been on kind of a pickling kick lately, what with pickles, and okra pickles, and more pickles, and then I made MORE okra pickles. I’m going to turn into one big pickle. But before I do, I have another great kind of pickle to share with you, and these can be made… Continue reading Escabeche (Mexican Pickled Carrots & Pickled Jalapenos)
Southern Fried Chicken
At one time or another in the last three weeks, we’ve had 3-5 house guests at a time. John is a high school teacher, and has been “off work” for the summer, and we have spent a lot of that time being social with friends and family. I love having folks over, because it means… Continue reading Southern Fried Chicken