RIP Starbucks and Bennigans

Well.
I wished I felt bad about the closing of these establishments, but I don’t. I do feel bad about the people who are losing their jobs; they did nothing wrong. I have no sympathy for the mass production of mediocre fare and the systematic dumbing down of the American Palate.
I mean, C’mon people! Are you [...]

A VILLANELLE

A Villanelle….

Is a poem of French origin. It is composed of 19 lines, with five sets of triplets and a quatrain. The first and third lines of the opening triplet are repeated in an alternating pattern. The middle lines of each triplet must rhyme with each other, and the ending quatrain must contain the [...]

Cajun Fish Soft Tacos

Cajun Fish Soft Tacos with Chipotle Ranch Dressing
Serves 4-6
2- 8 oz. catfish fillets
2- Tbl. cajun spice
2- Tbl chipotle hot sauce
1/4 c. ranch dressing
2/3 c. shredded monterey jack cheese
1/4 head lettuce, shredded ( any kind is fine)
1 large tomato, diced
1- small sweet onion, ( red, maui, or vidalia)
6 inch flour tortillas (room tempurature)
vegetable oil
Equipment:
Paper towels
5 ea. [...]

Irrigation water may help spread foodbourne illnesses

The Culinary Chick tips her toque to Amanda Beals of MainStreet.com for forwarding an article written by Jessica Wakeman. This article summarizes the benefits of using soap and water to keep bacteria at bay when preparing food. Unfortunately, the article also states the following: Just because you take the precaution of washing your hands [...]

Summertime food safety

There’s a lot of attention to bad food that is currently circulating the market. It reminded me to remind you about cooking and serving food in an outdoor setting. Here are some tips to avoid some of the pitfalls:
1. Keep HOT foods HOT, and Cold foods COLD
The danger zone for food is between 41 and [...]

Tomatoes ok again, hot peppers not; Salsa lovers miffed

The FDA took tomatoes off the watch list, according to a report by the Chicago Tribune. However, fresh serrano and jalapenos are now on the list of foods to be wary of.  What’s a pico de gallo lover to do? Use canned or frozen hot peppers? Not likely. Go back to jar salsa. Heck no! [...]

Govenor O’ Malley to promote “Eat Local Week” in Maryland

Governor  Martin O’Malley has deemed the week of July 19-27 as “Eat Local Week” in Maryland.
Link to article :

Classic Caesar Salad

It is rumored that the origins of the Caesar salad came about when a tavern owner in Mexico had nothing more to serve customers after a busy afternoon, so he concocted this salad using only eggs, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, some stale bread and lettuce. In all my years of cooking, I’ve never found [...]

Support your local farmer

We have a dynamite regional farmer’s market here in Baltimore. Located underneath the end of the Jones Falls Expressway, this market features local produce, seafood. flowers and some local crafts. Before my disability, I was able to patronize  their wide array of offerings. Alas, I cannot attend the market anymore, but this isn’t the reason [...]

Beer-Battered Chicken fingers with Honey Mustard Dipping sauce

I met my friend Carlotta when I worked at an infamous waterfront eatery in Fell’s Point, Baltimore. She and others loved the chicken fingers we used to serve, especially on Sunday Funday. Although my goal is to present only all-original recipes for this blog, I will publish my version of the famed treat, along with [...]