Back in 2013 when I first saw the word “spatchcock,” I assumed it was some kinky thing I’d have to look up in the Urban Dictionary and then be sorry that I had. As it turns out, spatchcocking, said to derive from the term “dispatch the cock,” is an 18th century English or Irish word, and refers to a method of cooking a chicken by removing the backbone and flattening it. The chicken cooks more quickly, and all of the […]
“And I think this word ‘sallet’ was born to do me good…” – Henry IV, Part II When I worked at the White House, the Bushes held a dinner one year to celebrate Shakespeare’s birthday. The menu card contained a quotation from Shakespeare to accompany each course, and this quote from Henry IV came from the salad course. I don’t think I’ve ever had more fun planning a dinner, pouring through Shakespeare quotations looking for just the right one. (Dessert: […]
ROASTED SALMON WITH IRISH WHISKEY GLAZE AND MUSHY PEAS There’s nothing like a little Irish whiskey to elevate a simple piece of salmon to the gustatorial heights. It’s easy to get tired of salmon unless you keep changing up the accompanying flavors that enhance it. A little miso and soy sauce, a big squeeze of lime juice – or, in this case, a splash of whiskey – takes the most ordinary slab of fish and turns it into a delicacy […]
SRIRACHA SESAME BEEF SKEWERS Sriracha is the chili sauce of the moment, an import from Thailand wildly embraced by every American fast food outlet from Applebee’s to White Castle. That doesn’t mean you should pass it by; on the contrary, sriracha is everywhere because it’s a howling wake-up call for the tastebuds. It doesn’t have to make tears stream down your face; used judiciously, it adds texture and heat that elevates a dish exotically. I added sriracha to my favorite […]
VEGETARIAN PAD THAI It’s time for some clean eating! After too many nibbles on every cookie, cake, nut roll, popcorn ball, and eggnog milkshake that came within reach, my jeans will no longer zip. It was fun while it lasted… So if you’re having a similar post-holiday experience, here’s a recipe that will help get things back on track. This vegetarian Pad Thai recipe is full of crunchy greens, freshly-scrambled eggs, and livened with a tangy squirt of lime juice. […]
