>Julia’s Chickens

>I came across this short clip tonight (it’s only about 90 seconds) and it is somewhat hilarious…when she begins talking she is so excited about what she’s doing it seems she can barely contain herself. But as funny as it is there is no questioning Julia’s knowledge or ability…she was a professional cook (not a chef…she even admitted that) but also an entertainer. And in the few seconds you’ll veiw her what she says still rings true today (almost more so)…what’s wronge with simply roasting a chicken?

While I was in a hotel room this past weekend I watched the Food Channel for a while (cable tv is always a treat for me in hotels as I do not have it at home). And as I watched I couldn’t help but think of what crap it mostly was. What’s the deal with Iron Chef and all the other competition-type shows…doesn’t anyone have informative cooking shows anymore? It sort of made me think of when MTV actually aired music videos (all the time). Anyhow, this is a great short clip…It should make you laugh, it did to me.

Here’s a little trivia that has nothing to do with this blog (sort of) and you may already know this: the very first music video that MTV aired was Video Killed The Radio Star, by the Buggles…somewhat apropos no doubt…to see that video, click here.

Biking Toronto

Yesterday I went up to Toronto for a quick 24 hour sojourn. I do this a couple times a year simply for a change of pace; I’ll spend my day/evening alternating between bookstores, cafes, and nightclubs. It’s such an easy trip…under two hours if traffic on the Peace Bridge and the QEW cooperates. I’ve done this since the first time I went there clubbing back in the day (around 1980, when I was 19…you can now do the math). It has, in fact, been many years since I’ve felt like a tourist in Toronto…I look at it as a sort of much larger cousin to Buffalo…only distinctly Canadian. Anyhow, in all these years I have never…believe-it-or-not…ridden a bike in the city. I love walking in large cities and have always don so there. To make a long story short, after recently having pain in one of my feet I have found it painful to walk long distances (an injury, maybe? more likely it is simply from working on my feet and rushing around kitchens for the past 30 years). I’ve also owned a folder for the past couple of years…so it was only a matter of time before I folded it and brought it with me. My folder is in the above picture parked outside the Rex Hotel on Queen West (my apologies to the guy in the photo pushing the stroller…he looks a little startled).

Anyhow, after watching a couple sets at the hotel and being sufficiently fortified I went out for a spin. I had such a nice ride. It was a lovely autumn evening and the city was vibrant. Being a Buffalonian I am not accustomed to the sheer numbers of cyclists on the streets…it was inspiring. I ended up riding around for a couple hours seeing neighborhoods I otherwise would not if I were on foot. I know there are at least a few Torontonians that read this blog and I’ll just say this: you should be very proud to live in such a vibrant and bike-friendly city.

I have a feeling that my folder is my new means of transport when visiting Toronto (and other cities for that matter…it will definitely be with me the next time I visit NYC).

>Biking Toronto

>Yesterday I went up to Toronto for a quick 24 hour sojourn. I do this a couple times a year simply for a change of pace; I’ll spend my day/evening alternating between bookstores, cafes, and nightclubs. It’s such an easy trip…under two hours if traffic on the Peace Bridge and the QEW cooperates. I’ve done this since the first time I went there clubbing back in the day (around 1980, when I was 19…you can now do the math). It has, in fact, been many years since I’ve felt like a tourist in Toronto…I look at it as a sort of much larger cousin to Buffalo…only distinctly Canadian. Anyhow, in all these years I have never…believe-it-or-not…ridden a bike in the city. I love walking in large cities and have always don so there. To make a long story short, after recently having pain in one of my feet I have found it painful to walk long distances (an injury, maybe? more likely it is simply from working on my feet and rushing around kitchens for the past 30 years). I’ve also owned a folder for the past couple of years…so it was only a matter of time before I folded it and brought it with me. My folder is in the above picture parked outside the Rex Hotel on Queen West (my apologies to the guy in the photo pushing the stroller…he looks a little startled).

Anyhow, after watching a couple sets at the hotel and being sufficiently fortified I went out for a spin. I had such a nice ride. It was a lovely autumn evening and the city was vibrant. Being a Buffalonian I am not accustomed to the sheer numbers of cyclists on the streets…it was inspiring. I ended up riding around for a couple hours seeing neighborhoods I otherwise would not if I were on foot. I know there are at least a few Torontonians that read this blog and I’ll just say this: you should be very proud to live in such a vibrant and bike-friendly city.

I have a feeling that my folder is my new means of transport when visiting Toronto (and other cities for that matter…it will definitely be with me the next time I visit NYC).

Green Tomato and Pepper Salsa

This is a variation of a recipe that I learned from my grandmother; I used (mostly) ingredients that I culled from the garden for the last time this year. I didn’t learn this by watching her, but more so from reading her recipe…I inherited her handwritten recipe book which contains a recipe for “Hot Pepper Relish.” It’s a basic formula that can be applied to almost any summer vegetable…and you can adjust it to your liking to make it as sweet/sour/spicy as you’d like…I went for a slightly sweet and medium spicy version. You can also employ other spices (such as turmeric or allspice). You can also leave it chunky or puree it smooth (which I did for this recipe). By pureeing it it can be used almost like a mild hot sauce and can be applied to almost any food. About ten years ago when I was the chef of a swanky restaurant I offered this on the menu (made with organic yellow peppers and tomatoes) drizzled over pan-roast sea bass…it sold out almost every week-end night. Anyhow, this is how to make it…it’s very simple and will taste even better after a day or two.

Begin by dicing the peppers, tomatoes, and onion; crush a couple garlic cloves. Place it in a pot along with any other ingredients; I used organic sugar, white wine vinegar, and grey sea salt. Then cover it and bring it to a boil and lower it to a simmer. Cook it for about ten minutes.

Transfer it to a blender or food processor and chop or puree it to a desired consistency. Use while hot, but it’s better to refrigerate a day or so and use chilled. It can also be sealed in canning jars if you’d like a longer shelf life…but that’s not usually a problem in my house because it disappears before it expires.

>Green Tomato and Pepper Salsa

>This is a variation of a recipe that I learned from my grandmother; I used (mostly) ingredients that I culled from the garden for the last time this year. I didn’t learn this by watching her, but more so from reading her recipe…I inherited her handwritten recipe book which contains a recipe for “Hot Pepper Relish.” It’s a basic formula that can be applied to almost any summer vegetable…and you can adjust it to your liking to make it as sweet/sour/spicy as you’d like…I went for a slightly sweet and medium spicy version. You can also employ other spices (such as turmeric or allspice). You can also leave it chunky or puree it smooth (which I did for this recipe). By pureeing it it can be used almost like a mild hot sauce and can be applied to almost any food. About ten years ago when I was the chef of a swanky restaurant I offered this on the menu (made with organic yellow peppers and tomatoes) drizzled over pan-roast sea bass…it sold out almost every week-end night. Anyhow, this is how to make it…it’s very simple and will taste even better after a day or two.

Begin by dicing the peppers, tomatoes, and onion; crush a couple garlic cloves. Place it in a pot along with any other ingredients; I used organic sugar, white wine vinegar, and grey sea salt. Then cover it and bring it to a boil and lower it to a simmer. Cook it for about ten minutes.

Transfer it to a blender or food processor and chop or puree it to a desired consistency. Use while hot, but it’s better to refrigerate a day or so and use chilled. It can also be sealed in canning jars if you’d like a longer shelf life…but that’s not usually a problem in my house because it disappears before it expires.

Free Heat

This is the same wood that is pictured on the Yuba in the header of this page…I originally saw it at the curb last spring and thought I’d take it for two reasons: (1) because it would be a challenge to see if I could carry logs on a bike (no problem, it turned out), (2) because I knew there would be a time in the very near future (now) when I would want this wood to burn before I had my yearly shipment delivered.

I lent my chainsaw to someone last year and I can’t remember who. I had the day off and wanted to ready the wood to burn (it’s supposed to be in the 40s during the evening this weekend). Anyhow, I cut it by hand with a hand saw and split it with an ax…my workout for the day (it was pretty difficult to cut by hand).

I couldn’t help but think how the whole process was human-powered: brought the wood home with my own energy, then split and chopped it by hand…now it will be free heat for the weekend.
And as I was cutting/splitting the wood I also thought how difficult it must have been to live from day-to-day in these parts, say 100 years ago (this would have just been a daily chore, no doubt). I also thought how it felt good to do this by hand…to work hard and have sweat dripping from my brow (literally)…I don’t know, maybe it’s just my Protestant upbringing.

>Free Heat

>This is the same wood that is pictured on the Yuba in the header of this page…I originally saw it at the curb last spring and thought I’d take it for two reasons: (1) because it would be a challenge to see if I could carry logs on a bike (no problem, it turned out), (2) because I knew there would be a time in the very near future (now) when I would want this wood to burn before I had my yearly shipment delivered.

I lent my chainsaw to someone last year and I can’t remember who. I had the day off and wanted to ready the wood to burn (it’s supposed to be in the 40s during the evening this weekend). Anyhow, I cut it by hand with a hand saw and split it with an ax…my workout for the day (it was pretty difficult to cut by hand).

I couldn’t help but think how the whole process was human-powered: brought the wood home with my own energy, then split and chopped it by hand…now it will be free heat for the weekend.
And as I was cutting/splitting the wood I also thought how difficult it must have been to live from day-to-day in these parts, say 100 years ago (this would have just been a daily chore, no doubt). I also thought how it felt good to do this by hand…to work hard and have sweat dripping from my brow (literally)…I don’t know, maybe it’s just my Protestant upbringing.

Last of the Season

Dug up what remained of the garden yesterday….I’m always a little surprised what I find under wilted leaves and plants this late in the season. I love autumn (it’s my favorite season) but it’s also a somewhat melancholy time for me, I know what’s ahead…time to brace for the long darkness of winter. I love the winter, too (though less than I once did)…the first snow seems to blanket everything in freshness. But in this region winter can sometimes last 5 months. After the first month or so I’m usually pining for spring…anyhow, I’m projecting…the so hasn’t even arrived (yet).

>Last of the Season

>Dug up what remained of the garden yesterday….I’m always a little surprised what I find under wilted leaves and plants this late in the season. I love autumn (it’s my favorite season) but it’s also a somewhat melancholy time for me, I know what’s ahead…time to brace for the long darkness of winter. I love the winter, too (though less than I once did)…the first snow seems to blanket everything in freshness. But in this region winter can sometimes last 5 months. After the first month or so I’m usually pining for spring…anyhow, I’m projecting…the so hasn’t even arrived (yet).

The Helmet Question

OK, here’s the deal. I’ve been an avid biker for more than two decades (closer to three), and I have always worn a helmet…then this past spring, for whatever reason, I just stopped.

I had one close call some years back when I was flying down a busy street (today I don’t ride nearly as fast or recklessly as I once did) and hit a pot hole and flipped over my handlebars…I hit not only my ribs but also my head on the pavement…thankfully at the time I was wearing a helmet.

Anyhow, at the prompting of almost everyone I know, I started wearing my helmet again (even my yoga instructor asked why I wasn’t wearing one). I’m way past the time when I’m concerned about vanity or image on a bike (please don’t get me started about the fixie thing), so that’s not an issue. It does feel somewhat freeing to ride without a helmet, but I have to admit that I feel safer while wearing one.

At-any-rate, I know that there are people on both sides of this fence that are very adamant about their opinion, and I was just curious how others felt (or if they wore one). If you have a second or two click on the poll to the left and let me know…if you feel the need to express your opinion further, feel free to comment. Thanks.

>The Helmet Question

>OK, here’s the deal. I’ve been an avid biker for more than two decades (closer to three), and I have always worn a helmet…then this past spring, for whatever reason, I just stopped.

I had one close call some years back when I was flying down a busy street (today I don’t ride nearly as fast or recklessly as I once did) and hit a pot hole and flipped over my handlebars…I hit not only my ribs but also my head on the pavement…thankfully at the time I was wearing a helmet.

Anyhow, at the prompting of almost everyone I know, I started wearing my helmet again (even my yoga instructor asked why I wasn’t wearing one). I’m way past the time when I’m concerned about vanity or image on a bike (please don’t get me started about the fixie thing), so that’s not an issue. It does feel somewhat freeing to ride without a helmet, but I have to admit that I feel safer while wearing one.

At-any-rate, I know that there are people on both sides of this fence that are very adamant about their opinion, and I was just curious how others felt (or if they wore one). If you have a second or two click on the poll to the left and let me know…if you feel the need to express your opinion further, feel free to comment. Thanks.

Delicious Taco/Burrito Filling

I made tacos for my son and I the last night…this is a basic meat filling that is thickened (and stretched) with cornmeal. It can be made with pork or beef (or other meats, I suppose), and this is how I made ours.

I started with a couple of pork chops, which I had in the freezer. I first thawed, then boned them.

I chopped the meat, then diced and onion and a couple cloves of garlic and minced it right into the meat.

After heating a skillet with olive oil, I added the meat mixture and cooked it until it just began to brown.

Then I added a little smoked chipotle chili, along with cumin, chili powder, and salt. After sauteing it for a couple of minutes I added just enough water to almost cover the meat. When the water boiled (which was almost immediately) I dusted the pan with cornmeal to form a sort of masa.


I simmered and stirred the ingredients until the cornmeal absorbed the liquid and flavors, then repeated the process (almost in the same way you might may a risotto. I added the cornmeal for both flavor and texture, but this is also a great way to “stretch” meat…meaning, make a small amount of meat go a little further.

I filled the tacos with crisp radicchio and sharp cheddar, and topped it with plain yogurt (instead of sour cream), salsa, and a liberal dousing of sriracha…sort of eclectic, but man were they good.

>Delicious Taco/Burrito Filling

>I made tacos for my son and I the last night…this is a basic meat filling that is thickened (and stretched) with cornmeal. It can be made with pork or beef (or other meats, I suppose), and this is how I made ours.

I started with a couple of pork chops, which I had in the freezer. I first thawed, then boned them.

I chopped the meat, then diced and onion and a couple cloves of garlic and minced it right into the meat.

After heating a skillet with olive oil, I added the meat mixture and cooked it until it just began to brown.

Then I added a little smoked chipotle chili, along with cumin, chili powder, and salt. After sauteing it for a couple of minutes I added just enough water to almost cover the meat. When the water boiled (which was almost immediately) I dusted the pan with cornmeal to form a sort of masa.


I simmered and stirred the ingredients until the cornmeal absorbed the liquid and flavors, then repeated the process (almost in the same way you might may a risotto. I added the cornmeal for both flavor and texture, but this is also a great way to “stretch” meat…meaning, make a small amount of meat go a little further.

I filled the tacos with crisp radicchio and sharp cheddar, and topped it with plain yogurt (instead of sour cream), salsa, and a liberal dousing of sriracha…sort of eclectic, but man were they good.