We try to cook using the Crock Pot at least once a week. These meals are easy, quick, and generally provide leftovers for later in the week (or several weeks as is the case with this recipe). To cook good food in a slow cooker generally means that you can’t just dump things in and turn it on. You have …
Ice Cream of the Moment: Nata (Cream Ice Cream)
Nata is Spanish word for cream. The latest in the ongoing series of ice cream flavors is simple, unadorned cream. The sugar content is slightly higher in this recipe than in previous recipes resulting in a much softer freeze — it is very scoopable. This ice cream is a perfect partner for any type of dessert, especially those usually served …
Restaurant Week: Flame
The past week (actually 9 days starting last Wednesday and continuing through Thursday) have been Restaurant Week here in Springfield. 417 Magazine got some of the best restaurants in town (and a couple of random, not so nice places) to offer special fixed price menus ($41.70 for two) and to donate a portion of the proceeds to the local Boys …
Fish — Much Improved
As you may remember my first visit to Fish was good, but not what I would have expected from a restaurant owned by James Clary. Sarah and I decided to give it another try last weekend and I was very pleased. I had a pan seared tuna steak that was cooked perfectly rare with the twice baked potato and the …
Ice Cream of the Week: Blackberry Frozen Custard
This is the first French style ice cream in the ice cream of the week series. The key difference between this recipe and the previous Philadelphia style ice creams is the addition of egg yolks to make a custard. This recipe was inspired by the Good Eats episode about gourmet ice creams. Alton Browns formula is very similar to the …
Ice Cream of the Week/IMBB: Peach Tea Ice Cream
This week I’m combining the 17th IMBB topic hosted by Clement at A La Cuisine! This is the third IMBB I’ve done. I often plan items for the themes, but I never seem to write them up for the blog. The theme for July is tasteTea and I’m blending it with my weekly summer ice cream. I’m huge tea fan …
Ice Cream of the Week: Basic Vanilla (with Splenda)
Welcome to week two of the Ice Cream of the Week. This week we’re modifying last week’s recipe to make a lower calorie version by using Splenda instead of sugar. I generally don’t go for stuff like this, but I wanted to try cooking with Splenda and this seemed like a good challenge. This ice cream tastes very good for …
Margaritas
Last night we were bored and not sure what to do exactly. Sarah decided she wanted margaritas so we called some people up and made drinks. I’m not usually a fan of margaritas — I can’t say that I’ve ever liked the taste of tequila. Last night may have converted me. Our margarita recipe is fairly simple: lime juice, triple …
Ice Cream of the Week: Basic Vanilla
There are two schools of ice cream thought in the US — Philadelphia style and French style. The difference between the two being whether or not the base is a custard (using eggs) or not. This being the first Ice Cream of the Week post I thought I would go with a very simple, traditional Philadelphia style ice cream. I’m …
2005 Paella Party
We’ve done a paella party every year for the past several years and this year will be no different. This year the paella party also serves as a sort of house warming — the first event in our new home. We’ll be scrambling like crazy to get everything in order this week for the party on Saturday. We won’t have …
Trader Joe’s General Tso Chicken Sauce
I’m a huge fan of General Tso Chicken. I’ve found that most places in Springfield don’t make it to my tastes though. It’s either way too sweet, not sweet at all, and/or usually not spicy at all. While we were in St. Louis last month we made the obligatory visit to Trader Joe’s (which I’d love to see in Springfield, …
Garbanzo Potato Curry
Originally the Indian food last night was just supposed to be a simple pork curry using a premade sauce. Then I decided I wanted to make naan which gave me time for another curry. We also filled some of the naan with potatos and onions which was quite good (see the Naan recipe on this site for more info). Garbanzo …