Bite of the Best

Avocado Dipping Sauce - January 30, 2012

Use this quick and easy sauce as a dip for Superbowl Sunday. Serve with fresh veggies (carrot, celery, tomato, jicama, fennel, bell peppers), fresh or fried shrimp, Buffalo wings, seasoned fries or chips made from regular or sweet potatoes, taro …

Southern Italian Fondue (Bagna Calde) - January 11, 2012

Thinking about garlic reminded me of a favorite dish for easy entertaining I featured almost 30 years ago after having met an Italian home cook who did amazing things with escarole … and, of course, garlic.

I recalled the concept …

Artisanal Cocktails at Michael’s - December 15, 2011

Michael’s New York, a restaurant popular with the power set, announced its “Mixology Wednesdays” program by inviting editors and bloggers to sample those cocktails along with their  bar bites and new menu.

Mixologist Michael Flannery designed the new contemporary cocktails …

“Armadillo” Rosemary Roasted Potatoes - December 6, 2011

At a recent dinner party, my friend Sharon’s crispy potatoes had everyone talking. They were thinly cut potatoes, left whole so they fanned out on baking resulting in crunchy slices. Which is what everyone liked a potato to be.

I …

Deep-Dish Potato Torta with Peppers and Olives - September 25, 2011

Try this make-ahead meatless dish for a weekend brunch, picnic or tailgating, as this is good either hot or at room temperature. To simplify, just drained, jarred roasted peppers.

Deep-Dish Potato Torta  with Peppers and Olives

2 pounds peeled potatoes, …

Express (aka Quick!) Linguine with Broccoli di Rabe - September 18, 2011

An express — quick-to-prepare pasta recipe.

Express Linguine with Broccoli di Rabe

Cook 1/2 pound sliced hot or sweet sausage in large skillet over medium heat, turning often until browned, about 5 minutes. Add 3 cloves minced garlic and cook …

Woman’s World Wild Strawberry Cake - September 5, 2011

Millie Lambert requested, ” Hi,I made a cake from the front of woman’s world back in May(I think) I loaned the mag.to someone and didn’t get it back.I wonder if someone has the recipe it was a lemon cake and …

Express (aka Quick!) Tortellini in Fresh Tomato Sauce - July 15, 2011

An express — quick-to-prepare — tortellini recipe, using 1 package (9-ounces) of tortellini cooked in salted water until al dente. Before draining, save about 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water to add — if desired — one tablespoon at …

Chocolatini - July 13, 2011

Eric’s personal recommendation for using Godiva Chocolate Infused Vodka in a cocktail:

Chocolatini
1/2-ounce Godiva Chocolate Infused Vodka
1 1/4 ounces Kahlúa
1 1/4 ounces dark crème de cocoa

Shake all ingredients, with ice, in a cocktail shaker. Strain into …

Watermelon and Feta Salad - June 20, 2011

I had forgotten about this delicious refreshing salad until I saw it in a recent Oldways Mediterranean Foods Alliance newsletter. Each Friday the organization shares a recipe that reflects the Mediterranean diet. (To learn more about that way of eating …

Royal Wedding Cake - April 20, 2011

Prince William selected this Chocolate Biscuit Cake for the cake for his upcoming royal wedding on April 29. The recipe for this appears in Royal Chef Darren McGrady’s “Eating Royally” as it is William’s grandmothers favorite cake.

According to the …

Hearts of Palm at Jerry’s Restaurant - April 2, 2011

It’s rare for a side dish to be so exceptional that it becomes the standout of the meal, let alone a restaurant; but Chef Bridget Burns at Jerry’s in Winnetka serves a Hearts of Palm Salad so innovative that it …

Express (aka Quick!) Mediterranean Tortellini with Smoked Mozzarella - March 24, 2011

An express — quick-to-prepare — tortellini recipe.

Mediterranean Tortellini with Smoked Mozzarella: Sauté 1 medium-sized sliced onion in 2 T olive oil until golden, about 5 minutes. Add 1 cup halved grape tomatoes and 1 minced clove garlic; cook 1 …

Blueberry Bliss - March 18, 2011

Violet, you’re turning voilet! What is bite-sized, bright blue, round and sweet? Give up? Probably not, as there are few items on earth that match this description. You’ve guessed it, it’s a smurf. Well, maybe not, but other than smurfs, …

Coffee 2.0 - March 15, 2011

Is an espresso just too much liquid for you? Seems the five-hour energy craze has taken over from the 8-minute ab craze and coffee is being left in the dust. That is, until a new hero emerged, taking on the …

Tequila Cocktails for Fat Tuesday Celebration - March 8, 2011

On March 8th, Bourbon Street (NoLA )will overflow with booze and beads as Americans celebrate “Fat Tuesday.” If you can’t make it to the French Quarter, get a taste of the Big Easy with these festive cocktails.

The Big …

Easy-to-Make Banana Chocolate Chip “Bread” - March 7, 2011

A delicious use for those overripe bananas!

Easy-to-Make Banana Chocolate Chip “Bread” Place 3 overripe bananas, 1 T fresh lemon juice, 1 c sugar, 4 ounces (1/2 cup) butter and 2 eggs in the bowl of a food processor fitted …

Caseus Fromagerie Bistro - February 22, 2011

Bon Appétit occaisionally rounds up a variety of not-to-be-missed specials from restaurants across the country. And what kind of New Haven born son would I be if I didn’t point out a hometown star, Caseus Fromagerie Bistro.

The restaurant was …

Hot Toddy - February 21, 2011

Express (aka Quick!) Linguine with White Clam Sauce - February 10, 2011

An express — quick-to-prepare pasta recipe.

Express Linguine with White Clam Sauce Cook 3 cloves minced garlic in 1 T oil over medium heat until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the liquid from two 6.5-ounce cans chopped clams, reserving clams. …

Express (aka Quick!) Golden Portuguese Bean Soup - January 6, 2011

A quick nutritious soup!

Golden Portuguese Bean Soup Cook 1 pound thinly sliced chorizo, linguiça, or other garlic sausage in a 4-qt saucepan over medium-high heat until lightly browned. Add 1 minced large onion and cook until softened, about 5 …

Express (aka Quick!) Garlicky Linguine - December 31, 2010

An express — quick-to-prepare — pasta recipe for

Express Garlicky Linguine

Cook linguine according to package directions; drain, reserving 1/4 c cooking water. Heat 3 T olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add 3 cloves minced garlic; cook, …

Express (aka Quick!) Tortellini Recipes - December 21, 2010

Here are a few quick tortellini recipes. Each is for 1 package (9-ounces) of tortellini cooked in salted water until al dente. Before draining, save about 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water to add — if desired — one …

Express (aka Quick!) Jarlsberg Recipes - December 16, 2010

Use Jarlsberg (regular or lite) for cooking in any recipe calling for Swiss cheese. Top onion soup, add to a Reuben sandwich, use in a grilled cheese, or try it in one of these Express Lane Cooking recipes:

• Ham, Jarlsberg

…

Cheesburger Cocktail? - December 15, 2010

What’s better than a sandwich? A sandwich cocktail of course! Who said the days of the liquid lunch went out the door with the sixties? Flor de Cana rum looks to bring it back with the utmost in sandwich drinks …