• Last updated 8/16/11 by Nicko

By Chef Peter Martin   As a young chef, I read countless cookbooks to expand my knowledge and help me develop my own style of cooking.  While I have many favorites there are probably only a few that really helped to truly define me as a chef.  One of those books was Steven Raichlen’s “The Barbecue! Bible.”  I had been dabbling in barbecuing and smoking foods for a number of years by then, but it was while reading that book that I became inspired to really delve into the world of barbecue and learn all its aspects and nuances.   Needless to say, in the... read more

• Last updated 5/24/11 by BenRias

by: Ruben Urias There’s no better way to welcome the Spring and Summer weather than with outdoor grilling. Everyone has their favorite dishes, and each culture has a popular item. Among Mexican food fans, carne asada tops the list! When cooked briefly over the high heat of an outdoor grill, these thin cuts of beef brown beautifully and develop excellent flavor. With additional seasonings, these humble cuts of beef become something memorable! The cuts of meat you need for making carne asada are most readily found in the butcher section of Mexican grocery... read more

• Last updated 5/12/11 by Jim

Discovering the Deli: Corned Beef     Some time ago, I decided my long-term goal would be to open my deli. I grew up on deli food and miss it so - the soft, seeded-rye; stinky chopped chicken livers; the dew on the windows from the corned beefs… corning; the grease-glazed knishes; mountains of yellow potato salad. Delaware is not a haven for such gastronomical delights beyond chicken ‘n dumplings and steamed crabs. My very indiscriminate love of good food was born of my experience with really good deli food. So, in seven years, I want to open a deli. I have... read more

• Last updated 5/3/11 by Nicko

by Peter Martin After many false starts, Spring has finally come to Wisconsin this year.  Of course, that means many different things to different people.  To me it means muddy paw prints throughout the house as dogs wade through the temporary pond we commonly refer to as our backyard.  It means a resuming of relationships with our neighbors, who we often don’t see much during winter as the snow and cold keep us all inside.  From a culinary standpoint, to me, it means the emergence of my rhubarb plants and the season’s first fresh herbs.  It means fresh, local... read more

• Last updated 5/2/11 by BenRias

by: Ruben Urias For a cold snack on a hot summer day, ceviche hits the spot! The chilled mixture of fresh seafood and produce will satisfy your hunger and cool you down. Many variations of ceviche exist around the globe, each highlighting favorite local ingredients. For the basic Mexican version that follows, you will get a refreshing mixture of fish, shrimp, lime juice, and fresh vegetables. MEXICAN CEVICHE INGREDIENTS: 8 oz. Fish fillet(s), 1/4-1/2 inch cubes 4 oz. Bay shrimp, cooked 1/2 cup Lime juice 1/2 cup Red onion, fine... read more

• Last updated 4/27/11 by ChefMorey

Describe 'Making Sausage' here SAUSAGE CLASS by Chef Bob refdrbob@gmail.com   Irish Breakfast Sausage French Apple Sausage Rosemary Sage Sausage Italian Sausage Fancy Italian Sausage Fresh Bratwurst Smoked Kielbasa Cheddar Cheese Kielbasa Mild “Mexican” Sausage Hot “Mexican” Sausage Smoked Bratwurst   SECTION I   Getting Down the Basics   a.             meats b.             spices c.              water d.             skins e.              stuffing f.              smoking g.              nitrates h.            ... read more

• Last updated 4/6/11 by BenRias

Of the many Mexican contributions to the American diet, guacamole is among the most popular. While it has many uses, Americans most often enjoy guacamole as a hearty dip for corn chips or as a creamy topping on their favorite Mexican entrée. Guacamole’s mild flavor and subtle texture go well with countless foods and drinks, making it a perfect fit for any party or celebration. The typical chunky style of guacamole familiar to most Americans is made by combining pressed avocados with a variety of diced vegetables, and seasonings. But due to avocados’ rich nature,... read more

• Last updated 3/16/11 by Nicko

What does "Connect with Facebook?" mean? For a couple of years now Facebook has been offering a service to allow folks to sign into other websites easily without having to enter a whole lot of information everywhere they go. This system has evolved over time and we've integrated it here for our members' convenience. If you'd like to hear what Facebook has to say, check out their developer's guide and help pages.     Why is this on the site? The main benefit is an easy registration process for new members who discover this forum via Facebook. Traditionally,... read more

• Last updated 2/28/11 by BenRias

With late winter storms postponing spring indefinitely, the allure of the common cup of cocoa is certain to wear thin. So now is the perfect time to try and make something new, like a cup of the traditional Mexican hot chocolate drink, champurrado. Champurrado is a rich and decadent hot chocolate drink, spiced with cinnamon and anise. It also distinguishes itself from its American counterparts by being thickened with masa, then whipped, into a frothy, fluffy cup of goodness. When prepared properly, champurrado is not unlike a traditional cup of... read more

• Last updated 2/22/11 by CTLurker

What is Following? Following is like subscribing to another member; you'll receive notifications of their activity in public areas.   How do I follow another member? To follow a member, visit their profile page and click the "Follow Member" link under their avatar. You will be able to "unfollow" someone in the same place.   What will I be notified about? When following another member, you'll be notified about many of the same things that appear in their activity feed: replying to threads, writing reviews, and other actions they take around the... read more