Life, it will kill ya! Well had some recent disappointments, reality cooking show redemption is on hold perhaps forever….don’t you love rejection emails? I sure do….not. But onward and upward…in all actuality, besides feeling sorry for myself and reflecting on what I lack, I’m not really that upset. I think life is more about learning to be resilient to rejection more than it is about celebrating success. Self-analysis is a less than stellar activity for most, myself included and I’ve done a lot of it in the last few years, and realized I am one of those people pleasing extroverts. Some folks can’t stand our kind, I think oh I am hilariously vocal, others might find this audible annoyance, but really we just yearn for love and approval. I just want everything to be fun! Is that so wrong? Continue reading “Greek style cheese pies (Tyropita) and the plight of the lonely extrovert.”
Dirty Martini Ceviche
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I love dirty martinis, and no brand makes a better one then Five Wives Vodka produced in my hometown of Ogden Utah. I also love ceviche and figured I could do a play on both and make my own version of ceviche verde. Ceviche is easier then you think and requires no cooking at all! Citrus juice and in our case vodka do the cooking….or curing you could call it.
Continue reading “Dirty Martini Ceviche”
Truffled twice baked heirloom potatoes
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This recipe actually came together by accident, as I had roasted off way to many baby heirloom potatoes one evening. In the morning I realized I had a ton left over and I remembered a trick I learned working as a bar cook. We would always save our left over bakers to make potato skins, topped with cheddar, bacon, and green onions. This version is kind of a mix of that and twice baked potatoes, with utterly creamy, savory results!
Serves 4-6 as an appetizer
9 heirloom potatoes, I had reds, yukons, and blue.
1/4 cup half and half
2 teaspoons white truffle oil
2 tablespoons butter, salted
4 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated, one Tablespoon reserved for topping
2 tablespoons panko breadcrumbs
several sage leaves.
1/2 cup cooking oil
Bake your potatoes on a sheet pan at 375 degrees for about 35 minutes, when fork tender remove from oven and cool, as soon as they are cool enough to handle, cut in half and scoop out innards, place in a bowl with 1 1/2 Tablespoons butter, truffle oil, half and half and 3 Tablespoons cheese. With a hand masher or immersion blender whip up potato mixture to desired texture, I like smoother for these. In a small saucepan place cooking oil over medium high heat, fry skin portion of potatoes until golden and crunchy, lightly salt. Fill each skin with whipped potato mixture, top with panko mixed with 1/2 Tablespoon remaining butter, and remaining cheese, top with a sage leaf. Bake at 425 degrees for 10 minutes until golden and bubbly.