A Cook Walks into a Bar

Cook in a Bar Has Moved

2011-05-19T17:08:00.000-04:00

Dear Loyal Readers, I am pleased to share with you that my blog, A Cook Walks Into A Bar, has a new home. Old entries, archived recipes, funny stories, and tales to come can now be found at: www.acookwalksintoabar.com Please change your bookmarks and the like to stay in touch. I look forward to your feedback on the new site and your continued comments on my recipes and entries. Please come

Bar Stool Fridays - Derby Drinks

2011-05-06T05:21:00.001-04:00

The mint julep is the signature drink of the Kentucky Derby and more than 100,000 are served at Churchill Downs over the course of the race weekend. As part of a contract with Brown-Forman Distillers, the drinks at the Derby are made with either Early Times or Woodford Reserve. (NOTE: Early Times is not officially a bourbon, but a Kentucky whiskey.) You don't have a contract with Brown-Forman,

Salt of the Sea

2011-05-02T14:10:00.000-04:00

In recent months, my brother has refused to eat iodized salt. Given all the talk about the evils of salt, and the USDA's new nutritional guidelines for salt intake, you'd think that was a good idea, but iodized salt is important. We've teased him about getting a goiter, which is swelling of the thyroid. Most cases are caused by iodine deficiency and it causes a large swelling in the neck.

Bar Stool Fridays - Sands of Laredo Cocktail

2011-04-29T06:32:00.001-04:00

On New Year's Day 2011, my husband and I helped my parents move their belongings and pets from Brownsville to Laredo, Texas. We followed the Rio Grande north on US Highway 83 past the edge of Mexico's Chihuahuan Desert and over the infamous Falcon Lake. While I didn't grow up in South Texas, a number of significant life events for our family have occurred while my parents lived in the

When Life Gives You Icky Sugar Cookies...Make Lemon Pie!

2011-04-27T09:34:00.000-04:00

You know those boxes of cookies you see in the grocery store bakery? Well, I don't like them. I know that some people must like those cookies though, because I witness them being purchased, and I see them at potluck parties. A box of these cookies showed up at a party that my friend Kate attended last weekend, and no one touched them. Okay, maybe one person touched them because the box was

Eggscellent Mistake

2011-04-26T06:00:00.002-04:00

My brother requested an angel food cake for Easter, and I said, "sure, no problem." Well, I ended up doing more than I expected on Saturday, and I scrambled to get the ingredients at the grocery store in a moment in which I was both hungry and tired. Not such a good plan. I thought I could save time by getting a carton of egg whites, but in my rush I didn't read the side panel. If I had taken

Helping Out the Easter Bunny

2011-04-23T13:28:00.000-04:00

The Easter Bunny is really slammed this time of year. His to-do list goes on for pages, his calendar is jam-packed, the battery on his smartphone won't stay charged, he's bitten his nails down to nubs, and the poor little fellow has circles under his eyes from lack of sleep. I figured he could use a hand...or is it paw? Anyway...I knew I could help, at least when it came to supplying the

Barstool Fridays - New Belgium Beer and A Quiver of Bacon

2011-04-22T07:01:00.002-04:00

Intrigued? Hope so! I was recently selected to be a part of the FoodBuzz Tastemaker Program for New Belgium Brewing Company. FoodBuzz is encouraging its bloggers to create recipes using or to be matched with New Belgium Beer. Well, I really enjoy New Belgium's offerings so I couldn't turn down this opportunity. Unfortunately, it is not currently available in the mid-Atlantic region where I

Friends Don't Let Friends Eat Stale Marshmallows

2011-04-21T12:16:00.001-04:00

I hate Peeps. However, I have several friends that seem to adore them. I cannot in good conscience let this behavior continue. I feel obligated to provide them a quality product. I mean, Easter only comes once in a year, why waste good sugar on bad candy? Taking matters into my own hands, I decided to craft a homemade version of those stale, artificial tasting creations... Homemade Peeps

Its Matzo Time

2011-04-18T14:33:00.000-04:00

Tonight marks the start of Passover, a celebration of the Jews' exodus from Egypt. A basic principle of Passover observance is no consumption of leavened products or chometz as a reminder of the haste in which the Jews left Egypt. Chometz is the leavened product that results when any wheat, rye, barley, oats, and/or spelt comes in contact with water for more than 18 minutes, the rabbinic

Bar Stool Fridays - Rock Candy Cocktail

2011-04-15T06:38:00.001-04:00

So, we've really enjoyed the homemade cinnamon candy around here. Mr. Cook in a Bar and I knew we could increase our enjoyment by combining the sweet and spicy candy with alcohol. Now, big surprise here...we went with bourbon. Yeah, we're a little preoccupied. The drink came together pretty easily for us and we both slurped it up quickly, but we struggled with a name. Luckily, our friend

Book Review: Righteous Porkchop

2011-04-14T06:31:00.001-04:00

In recent years, I’ve read a number of books on animal agriculture and Righteous Porkchop by Nicolette Hahn Niman is only the latest. I was intrigued by the title, but I feared that it might be a repeat of earlier information, and I would become bored or would be made to feel really guilty. However, this was not the case. Hahn Niman has a great writing style and a

What a Meat Market for Lamb Sausage Marinara

2011-04-13T06:35:00.002-04:00

Here in Washington, DC most of the vendors at our local farmers’ markets sell produce. In the winter, they sell veggies that they have been able store after the winter growing season – things like carrots, potatoes, turnips, beets, onions, apples, cider and radishes. During early April you can really feel the energy and anticipation of the produce vendors building. They are

Did You Eat Your Veggies Today?

2011-04-12T06:18:00.045-04:00

I really enjoy the taste of vegetables, and I appreciate that they are good for me, too. But, I like to ensure that I'm doing what is best for my body and I am not consuming or serving harmful chemicals. Because of that, I choose to shop for organic produce. And, to me, organically grown fruits and vegetables taste better. But, organic produce not only avoids harmful pesticides or herbicides,

Whole Grain Cooking Club

2011-04-11T06:39:00.002-04:00

My mom is a terrific baker and I grew up with fresh baked bread throughout my childhood. I can only aspire to make bread as good as she can someday. Typically, she made bread with white flour, but lately she's been baking with more whole grains. I've been doing the same and so we share the notes from our kitchen experiments. We've formed our own little cooking club of sorts. Here's her

Bar Stool Fridays - Water for Your Whiskey

2011-04-08T06:47:00.002-04:00

I am very pleased to tell you that this is a guest post from my sweet husband, Mr. Cook in a Bar. He was so inspired by our bourbon-swilling trip to Kentucky, he wanted to share his newly gained knowledge with others... My wife and I have developed an insatiable thirst for whiskey. Over the past year we have experimented with punch and cocktail recipes, but our thirst continues to lead us back

Sweet as Candy

2011-04-07T06:40:00.002-04:00

A few weeks back I was surprised by a fellow blogger, Sabrina of eat. drink. and be merry. She bestowed upon me a One Lovely Blog Award. I was quite flattered by the honor because Sabrina has a great blog herself...lovely pictures and some fun recipes. Thanks, Sabrina! (More on the award later in this entry.) Sabrina's sweet gesture inspired me to make some homemade candy in one of my

Pepper Vinegar

2011-04-05T06:30:00.003-04:00

Making pepper vinegar is so easy. You can even make just one bottle at a time, or make two - one for you and one to share - like I did. First, wash the peppers and trim the stems. Drop the peppers into your bottle. I am re-using some nice looking Grolsch beer bottles. Then, just cover with vinegar. You can use whatever vinegar you prefer. I used white distilled vinegar. Finally, just let

Farmers' Market Tips

2011-04-04T13:51:00.000-04:00

This weekend I volunteered at a local farmers' market. It was a great way to get to meet some local farmers and I was able to enjoy a sunny day here in DC. After watching the patrons and answering questions, I realized some tips to make the most of a farmers' market experience might be helpful to my readers. Come Prepared. Bring your own shopping bags and cash. Most markets are not

Bar Stool Fridays - Pickles for My Cocktails

2011-04-01T06:30:00.001-04:00

Well, actually these pickles will be for my brother's cocktails. I've been making lots of pickles lately and I hope that it is because they taste good that I've gotten specific requests and suggestions from our dinner guests including my little brother. He requested some spicy pickled onions that he could use for his gibson cocktails and perhaps just for snacking. I found recipe inspiration,

Book Review: As Always, Julia

2011-03-31T06:30:00.002-04:00

I’m always intrigued to learn more about public personalities…you know there is always more to the inner person than what you see on the screen or through their writing. Julia Child is no different. There is more to learn about Julia Child beyond watching the Julie and Julia movie or her shows on PBS. To know Child as a person, I recommend you read As Always, Julia: The Letters of Juila Child

Can't Believe They're Whole Grain Cookies

2011-03-30T06:30:00.001-04:00

Our friend Shawn just had a birthday. Unfortunately, it coincided with a major breakdown in his bracket, his NCAA basketball tournament bracket, that is. This breakdown also meant that he owed several people steak dinners. I thought it was a shame to lose a bet on your birthday, so I wanted to cheer him up. Hmmm...what to do. Cookies! That always works for me, especially if they have

Distiller for a Day

2011-03-29T06:30:00.002-04:00

Well, not exactly...I was more like a distillery employee for a day, but a girl can dream, right? Because my husband and I enjoyed our tour of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail so much, I decided to look for similar experiences closer to home. I'm familiar with and have toured some local wineries and breweries, and readers of the blog will recall we visited the Wasmund's distillery last year, but the

Green Goodness

2011-03-25T07:00:00.001-04:00

I love avocados. I could eat them just about every day. In fact, when I lived in Texas, I very nearly did. They were a tasty part of any meal. The avocado tree is native to Mexico and while they are easily trucked into Texas, they are also cultivated there, too. So, the fruit was pretty widely available to me and pretty cheap, as well. Not so much here in Washington, DC. I saw some

And The Bourbon Goes On...

2011-03-24T06:18:00.001-04:00

We've continued to savor the flavors of Kentucky since returning home. I especially enjoy the combination of booze and dessert. Here are a couple of my favorites... Since a barrel may be used only once to age bourbon, Kentucky has a flood of used bourbon barrels. Many are used to age scotch, but recent years have them holding beer, as well. We picked up two varieties of bourbon barrel beer

Kentucky Bourbon Trail - Part Four

2011-03-21T16:40:00.000-04:00

Our third and final fun day on the Bourbon Trail... Jim Beam 526 Happy Hollow Road Clermont, Kentucky After breakfast, we started our day with some Jim Beam and a tour of the family home of the second largest distilled spirits company in the U.S. The Beam family home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has two centuries of family memorabilia on display. Unfortunately

Kentucky Bourbon Trail - Part Three

2011-03-18T06:48:00.002-04:00

The second full day on the Bourbon Trail... Woodford Reserve 7855 McCracken Pike Versailles, Kentucky Woodford Reserve is the oldest and smallest distillery in Kentucky. The grounds are well-manicured with pretty limestone buildings, including one of the oldest stone aging warehouses for barrels. Woodford Reserve is special as the only bourbon distillery using a triple distillation process

Kentucky Bourbon Trail - Part Two

2011-03-17T05:39:00.004-04:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day! After yesterday's primer on bourbon distilling, I thought I'd start to share some of the details of our trip. We started our journey on the eastern side of Kentucky's Bourbon Trail. March is not the prettiest time of year in Kentucky, but it is still lovely country with horse farms and rolling hills, and of course, bourbon distilleries. Four Roses Distillery 1224

Kentucky's Bourbon Trail - Part One

2011-03-16T07:26:00.001-04:00

Oh, whiskey you're the devil...You're leading me astray...Over hills and mountains...Until I'm merry gay... Ironically, this Clancy Brothers' song played on our car stereo as my husband navigated our little Honda through a snow storm in the West Virginia mountains. We were on our way to Kentucky and its infamous Bourbon Trail. Our obsession with whiskey was indeed leading us astray...and

Birthday Scones

2011-03-15T09:24:00.002-04:00

Yesterday was my friend Virginia's birthday. I learned her favorite flavor combination is chocolate and lavender so my plan was to make her a special birthday treat. Unfortunately, I could not find the lavender in my spice cabinet. Struggling with a cold, I didn't feel up to a major lavender hunt so I decided to just be creative with what I had on hand and give her a raincheck on the

Noodles You Want To Eat With Your Hands

2011-03-05T09:00:00.003-05:00

I love this noodle dish. It is so easy to make, and the toasted sesame seeds and sesame oil smell wonderful. It pairs well with so many things, it holds up to travel so you can take it to a party or picnic, and you can prepare it in advance. Plus, it is great to eat straight from the refrigerator in the wee hours of the morning when you come home from an evening of fun. I love this noodle

A Cookie for Those Cravings

2011-03-04T08:18:00.003-05:00

Sometimes nothing will do but a homemade cookie. I was having one of those cravings and decided to whip up a batch of chocolate cookies. Normally I would add chocolate chips or peanut butter chips (or both) to the batter, but this time I added butterscotch chips. Delicious, and I even made enough to share. Chocolate Butterscotch Chip Cookies Makes about 4 dozen 1 cup butter (or margarine, if

The Doggie Ate My Granola

2011-03-02T06:00:00.001-05:00

My husband and I have a dog named Charley. He is likely the sweetest dog you could ever meet. He's also smart and very protective, which is helpful in our neighborhood. Charley has a weakness, however. Food. He cannot get enough. His large appetite paired with his large size and intelligence means a constant vigilance on our part to prevent him from getting into food. I envy friends who

Start Your Day with PB&J

2011-03-01T14:19:00.001-05:00

Regular readers of this blog know that breakfast is important to me. It is really better for everyone if I have some coffee and a bite to eat....just ask my husband. But, morning hours don't find me feeling really motivated to work in the kitchen, so I like to have already-made items on hand. Muffins are perfect for this. I know, I know, muffins are kinda boring...yeah, I guess, but they are

Cleveland Rocks

2011-02-28T13:37:00.000-05:00

This is an overdue post on a recent trip my husband and I had to his hometown of Cleveland. We had a terrific time and enjoyed some great food. Lola 2058 East 4th Street Owned by Top Chef and local-boy-made-good Michael Symon, this is one of the hottest spots in town. The menu changes regularly, but his signature dish is a hanger steak and fries. Since it was my first time, that is what I

Happy New Year, Rabbits!

2011-02-15T11:15:00.000-05:00

According to the Chinese Zodiac, 2011 is the Year of the Rabbit. It began on February 3, 2011 and ends on January 22, 2012. Chinese New Year starts at the second full moon after the Winter Solstice, not January 1. The Rabbit is considered a lucky sign. According to Chinese tradition, the Rabbit brings a year in which you can catch your breath and calm your nerves. It is believed that to

Vote for My Cocktail

2011-02-09T15:52:00.000-05:00

I was invited to develop a cocktail recipe for Marx Foods using the stimulating szechuan buttons. Well, I came up with three cocktails, but one, the Buzz of the Green Fairy is in the running now. If you like what you see, please visit the Marx Food site and vote for me. The poll will close on Tuesday, February 15. Thanks for your support!

Sip the Light Fantastic

2011-02-02T12:04:00.000-05:00

Last week, I was pleased to be asked by Marx Foods to participate in a cocktail recipe contest using sechuan buttons as an ingredient. I'd never heard of this ingredient, but I was intrigued. It turns out that sechuan buttons are flower buds that can create a tingling sensation on your tongue and lips when you eat them. Originating in Asia and Africa, they are also known as the electric flower

DIY Whiskey

2011-02-01T12:21:00.000-05:00

Readers of this blog will recall, the trip my husband and I took to Wasmund's Copper Fox Distillery. While there we not only took a tour of the distillery, but purchased some clear spirits (aka moonshine) and a barrel to age our own whiskey. It made us feel a little like distillers without the chemistry knowledge or potentially explosive home still. And, oh yeah, that whole illegal thing,

How to Curry Favor

2011-01-25T08:55:00.002-05:00

I had a head of cauliflower sitting in my refrigerator for a few days. The problem for me was not a lack of ideas for preparation, but a wealth of ideas. I couldn't choose just one way to use this winter vegetable. So, it sat...until yesterday... It has been really cold and dreary here in DC. While, I am grateful we have not been bombarded with snow as we were last winter, it still is not

Peanut Butter, Banana, and Chocolate Chip Muffins

2011-01-24T12:29:00.001-05:00

These easy and tasty muffins are a great way to start any day. You can't beat combining the flavors of banana, peanut butter, and chocolate. My mom sent me a recipe for peanut butter banana bread which served as my inspiration. I modified it to add a few more ingredients and turned it into muffins. Enjoy! Peanut Butter, Banana, and Chocolate Chip Muffins Makes 12 muffins 2 ripe bananas 1/3

90 Hours in NOLA, Part III - Twelfth Night & King Cake

2011-01-19T07:18:00.001-05:00

One final highlight from New Orleans...our visit coincided with the start of the Carnival or Mardi Gras season, and we were able to see some festivities marking Twelfth Night, a festival to celebrate the Epiphany. (In Christianity, Twelfth Night - January 6th, is the celebration of the night the three wiseman visited the baby Jesus and concludes the twelve days of Christmas.) Doesn't he look

90 Hours in NOLA, Part II - Eating

2011-01-14T16:39:00.001-05:00

New Orleans is a delicious city. We literally ate our way around town. I think the only thing that allowed my pants to still button when I left was all the walking we did. I really recommend you try to skip cab rides as much as possible and just walk or ride a bike to your destinations. And by destinations, you know I mean bars and restaurants. So, pack comfortable shoes! Cafe Du Monde1039

90 Hours in NOLA, Part I - The Bars

2011-01-13T23:24:00.003-05:00

I recently joined my friends Wendy and Virginia on a four-night trip to New Orleans. We had a great time and stuffed ourselves silly. Armed with recommendations from a variety of friends, we did quite a bit of exploring that I want to share with you, but let me start where I always like to start...with drinks. Napoleon House500 Chartres Street This was our first stop for a drink and a

Book Review: Four Fish by Paul Greenberg

2010-12-28T08:00:00.004-05:00

Before the holidays I finished an interesting book by frequent New York Times Magazine contributor, Paul Greenberg, entitled Four Fish: The Future of the Last Wild Food. Greenberg is a lifelong fisherman and he clearly struggles with the contradiction of saving fish and their environment, but writing with passion about the thrill of hunting them. The book is divided into

Memories of Anise Seed

2010-12-27T12:00:00.002-05:00

My husband and I both have memories of anise seed cookies at the holidays and throughout winter, but I had never baked them myself. I must admit that I didn't like the flavor of anise as a kid, but now I think it is a nice change of pace. I found a recipe from my great-aunt, but it seemed to be missing a few steps and it required wooden cookie molds which I do not have. I decided to try a

Red Velvet for the Holidays

2010-12-14T13:23:00.001-05:00

My friend, Kate, (also known as my brother's girlfriend) asked me to make something she could bring to her work holiday party. At first she wasn't sure what she wanted, and I think initially I overwhelmed her with possible options. After reviewing the other submissions, we decided a cake would be the best bet, and I thought a red velvet cake with white frosting would look especially festive.

Gift Ideas for Your Favorite Cook

2010-12-10T10:22:00.001-05:00

It cannot already be December 10. Can it? I'm usually in full holiday mode by this time. This year I seem to be having trouble jump-starting the Christmas spirit. I started my holiday baking yesterday, and that helped a bit, but I still have several things I want to do before Christmas yet no matching motivation. Perhaps thinking of presents for others will get me going... Looking for some

Potatoes Anna

2010-12-09T08:00:00.002-05:00

Potatoes Anna or Pommes Anna is a classic French dish. Simply, it is a mound of sliced potatoes baked in butter. Yum. It is one of my brother's favorites and he regularly requests it. He and his girlfriend, Kate came over this weekend for dinner. He made the pork ribs and I made the sides, including these potatoes. Big thanks to Kate for assisting me in the kitchen. Potatoes Anna Serves 6

Clear Out the Cranberries

2010-12-08T10:07:00.001-05:00

I've talked about Thanksgiving leftovers for several posts, and I was quite pleased with myself for so efficiently using all the bits that remained from our feast. One dish was a bit of a challenge to reinvent, however - the cran-orange-apple relish. I can only eat it for so long before my palate tires of the tartness. I knew there had to be a way to turn it into a baked good, but I wasn't

Party Time

2010-12-06T08:40:00.000-05:00

'Tis the season for parties. If you are hosting a party or want to bring some goodies to a party you are attending, think about this party mix. Popcorn is always a favorite, and this is an easy recipe that can be made in advance. Popcorn Party Mix Yields about 4 quarts 3 quarts popped popcorn 2 cups mixed nuts 2 cups miniature pretzel twists 2 cups miniature cheese crackers 6 Tbsp butter 1

Sweet Potato Redux

2010-12-03T08:00:00.003-05:00

Thanksgiving leftovers are the best, but I do tire of turkey sandwiches and reheated stuffing. Many of the remaining dishes from your Thanksgiving meal can be turned into something more inventive, however. Take sweet potatoes, for example...I made mashed sweet potatoes with chipotle peppers this year. I got some of my best compliments ever, but I still had some left after the meal. If you

Turkey-Palooza

2010-12-02T08:00:00.004-05:00

Had enough turkey yet? Not me. I'm always looking for ways to reinvent my Thanksgiving leftovers. Although, I am nearing the end of my supply. Luckily, I had enough to whip up a turkey pot pie. Just the right supper for a cold and dreary day. I made this pot pie with a biscuit crust because I did not feel like rolling out pie dough, but if you feel more energetic than me, here's my recipe

A Tale of Two Side Dishes

2010-11-24T07:57:00.000-05:00

I didn't see a can of jellied cranberry sauce on the Thanksgiving table until I was an adult. I must admit I thought it was a bit of a joke. However, I have come to realize that it is a comfort food to some people and a strong part of their holiday tradition. My husband is one of those people. He firmly believes that not only must our meal include a can of jellied cranberry sauce, but it we

Breakfast with Marie

2010-11-23T08:15:00.003-05:00

I am sad to say that I never knew my mother's parents. Fortunately, her father's sisters worked very hard to make up for that loss, making sure we knew a lot about our grandparents and their history. They always made our visits special, and that included as many delicious treats as my brother and I could eat. As a kid, I wasn't a big fan of breakfast. I wasn't willing to sit down and eat just

Don't Be Squashed By A Recipe Risotto

2010-11-22T14:44:00.003-05:00

If you have not yet made your own risotto, you should give it a try sometime soon. An Italian rice dish, risotto is typically served as a first course, but it can be modified to serve as main course or side dish. Plus, it works year-round as you can vary the flavor using in-season vegetables, meats, spices, and cooking liquids. And, while I am going to give you one, you don't need a recipe to

Filling Up on Texas

2010-11-18T15:08:00.001-05:00

As our time in Fort Worth came to a close, we spent a lot of time filling up on our favorite Texas foods. This included plenty of Gulf Coast shrimp... Spicy Shrimp Tacos with Avocado Salsa Serves 2 to 4 For tacos: 1 to 1 1/2 pounds of shrimp, peeled and tails removed 2 tsp chili powder 1 tsp cumin 1 tsp cayenne 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/3 cup olive oil corn tortillas shredded cabbage, optional

So What Cocktails

2010-10-25T08:00:00.004-04:00

I wanted a special cocktail for our Korean feast a few weeks back, and my friend Virginia suggested using a distilled drink called soju. I had never heard of this beverage and I imagined going to the local liquor store and having the following exchange. (You should hear a Texas twang inside your head for this.) Me: “Hi, I’m looking for a bottle of soju. Do you have it?” Liquor store clerk: “

A Friday Flop

2010-10-22T08:00:00.001-04:00

So, not at all of my kitchen experiments work out perfectly. In fact, sometimes they are a total flop. Luckily, my latest project was not a complete and total flop...just a minor one. I've been obsessed with making my own pepper jelly lately. I just love the stuff, and I think it tastes good on or with so many things. But, I'd never made my own before, and no one that I asked confessed to

October is Texas Wine Month

2010-10-21T16:49:00.002-04:00

In honor of Texas Wine Month, I thought I would share a few tidbits of knowledge and give you a recipe that calls for a bottle with an apple in it. Did you know that Texas has more than 220 family-owned vineyards covering 3,700 acres? What about the fact that the Texas wine industry contributes more than $1.35 billion a year to the state's economy and supports more than 9,000 jobs for Texans?

Olive This Bread

2010-10-20T18:37:00.001-04:00

I'm crazy for the olive bars that are popping up in the nicer grocery stores across the country. But, I always end up buying more than I really need. Since not all the varieties I end up with taste good in martinis, I decided to whip up some olive bread. Olive Bread Makes 1 loaf 1 package of active dry yeast 1/4 cup warm water 1 tsp white sugar 2 3/4 to 3 cups all-purpose flour, divided 1/4

Book Review: Meat A Love Story by Susan Bourette

2010-10-19T16:09:00.001-04:00

My husband pointed out that I haven't written a book review in a while. He's right. Even though I've read plenty of food-related books over the past few weeks, I have not posted any entries on them. Let me try and rectify that...Please note that not all reviews have to be recommendations. The book begins with Toronto-based journalist Susan Bourette working undercover in a slaughterhouse.

Farmer's Market Casserole

2010-10-18T14:01:00.000-04:00

I know I am not alone in this, but I sometimes go a little overboard at the farmer's market. Everything looks so good, and I buy too much. Then, a few days later I'm doing a mad scramble in the kitchen concocting dishes to use up our goodies before they aren't so good. This happens to people who have their own gardens, too. Wes, I'm talking to you. I really like garden gifts, but I

Fresh Basil Pesto with a Texas Twist

2010-10-14T09:53:00.000-04:00

There is a booming crop of basil in the yard of our rental house. The obvious way to use fresh basil is to make pesto. Pesto is typically made with not only basil, but also pine nuts or walnuts. I decided to take a different tack. I used locally grown pecans like a good little locavore, and I added a jalapeno for a little zing. Texas-Style Fresh Basil Pesto Makes 1 cup 2 cups fresh basil

You Will Crumble At the Smell of These Plums

2010-10-13T12:45:00.001-04:00

While my parents were in town last week, we made a visit to the Weatherford Farmers' Market. About half an hour's drive west of Fort Worth, Weatherford, is the county seat of Parker County, which is famous as the Peach Capital of Texas. It is no longer peach season, but there was still a lot of great-looking produce. The farmers' market is situated near the historic courthouse square and

Guest Post: Jewish Apple Cake

2010-10-08T15:17:00.000-04:00

This guest post is from my smart, athletic, and witty friend, Wendy. Our group of friends is always excited when Wendy brings this cake to gatherings. It is delicious. I made it just this week with help from my mom and husband and it made the house even smell delicious. Enjoy. Dear Katie, You asked that I share with you my recipe for Jewish apple cake. I'm really excited to participate,

Eating Dr Pepper at the State Fair of Texas

2010-10-05T12:56:00.000-04:00

Moving East has made it difficult, but I've gone to the State Fair of Texas almost every year I've been alive. I love it. To deepen my fair experience, I decided to enter one of the baking contests. The contest offering the largest cash reward was sponsored by Dr Pepper. In honor of the company's 125th birthday celebration, they asked contestants to bake a birthday cake using Dr Pepper. How

Drinking Dr Pepper in Dublin

2010-09-28T07:00:00.003-04:00

Last week I paid a visit to the oldest Dr Pepper bottling plant in the world. It is also the only place to still make Dr Pepper with pure cane sugar, not corn syrup. Where is this magical place? Dublin, Texas - about an hour and a half south and west of the Dallas/Fort Worth area. It is not exactly a booming metropolis. They were pretty excited to see someone with DC license plates visiting

I Need Your Help Again

2010-09-27T09:55:00.000-04:00

With your help, I made it to the second round of Project Food Blog, an interactive contest to discover the next hot food blogger. Thank you for all your support. We are not done yet, though. I've submitted my entry for the second challenge, and voting starts today, Monday, September 27. If you recall from last week, I advance to the next challenge by accumulating votes from the official

Texan Bulgogi with Bibim Bap

2010-09-25T17:48:00.005-04:00

I started planning for round two of Project Food Blog before I even finished my entry for the first round. I liked the idea of making a traditional family dish with the recipe coming from a friend. I knew my friend, Virginia, could help. She’s a terrific cook with a generous spirit. I called her up and we brainstormed some traditional Korean dishes. She helped me decide on bibim bap (mixed

That Old Hatch Magic

2010-09-22T11:47:00.000-04:00

For an all too brief time each year in the late summer, chile heads covet a New Mexican long green chile, known commonly as a Hatch chile. But, you can help make the magic last throughout the year by roasting and freezing them. Most vegetables lose texture and taste in the freezer, but Hatch chiles do really well. And, the longer they are stored in your freezer, the hotter they get. Choose

September is National Bourbon Heritage Month

2010-09-21T15:34:00.000-04:00

Oh, it's the most wonderful time of the year...I'm just kidding. I do enjoy any recognition of bourbon, though. Bourbon is one of my favorite spirits, and I appreciate its impact on American history. National Bourbon Heritage Month is the celebration of bourbon as America's Native Spirit. On August 2, 2007, the US Senate declared September as "National Bourbon Heritage

I Need Your Support

2010-09-20T10:12:00.001-04:00

So, you may have heard that I've entered a contest on the site Food Buzz called Project Food Blog. It is an interactive contest to discover the next hot food blogger. Following 10 challenges to whittle down nearly 2,000 contestants, the winner will receive a $10,000 cash prize and will be featured in a dedicated section of Food Buzz for a year. Cool, huh? I've submitted my entry for the

Golden Corn Salad

2010-09-17T10:51:00.000-04:00

I'm trying to convince my husband to do something that he is not so sure he wants to do. So, I put together this salad of some of his favorite things. I thought about calling it Suck-up Salad, but decided on something more lyrical... This would be a great salad to take to a tailgate party or potluck. Another bonus - it becomes more flavorful the longer it sits, so it is a perfect dish to make

Care & Feeding of Cast Iron Cookware

2010-09-16T11:18:00.003-04:00

No Texas kitchen is complete without at least one cast-iron skillet. I have two. One is a 10-incher that I bought new in Marshall, Texas at Marshall Pottery when I first set up my own kitchen. The other is a 13-inch monster that I inherited from my Aunt Mary Lee. It is hard for me to lift with one-hand, and I'm a strong girl. Here in my rental kitchen, I've enjoyed another large skillet and

Blueberry Sour Cream Coffee Cake

2010-09-15T14:12:00.000-04:00

Now that we have a working oven again, I'm back to my usual baking antics. This was inspired by a pint of fresh blueberries and a partial container of light sour cream in our refrigerator. I turned it into a coffee cake because I don't have any muffin tins in my rented kitchen. Blueberry Sour Cream Coffee Cake Cake: 1/2 cup butter 1 cup white sugar 1 egg 1/2 cup sour cream (I used light) 1

Food as History or Project Food Blog Challenge #1

2010-09-14T12:24:00.000-04:00

All of us have to eat. I, for one, really enjoy eating – it not only makes me feel good, but it is a profoundly social experience for me. I gain so much pleasure out of cooking for others and I feel food is always an occasion for sharing. This feeling is also why I have created a food blog. I like the sense of connection, the bond I make with my readers. I can’t necessarily feed your

Spicy Pickles in a Snap

2010-09-13T16:48:00.000-04:00

This is the perfect time of year to whip up some quick pickles. There is still an abundance of fresh produce in the markets, and you can have a taste of summer in your fridge for weeks to come. Pickling is one of the oldest methods of food preservation. It encourages the growth of good bacteria, thereby preventing the spread of microorganisms that can make us sick. Many pickled foods go

Sensing a Theme Yet?

2010-09-10T14:45:00.000-04:00

Surprise, surprise...yet another chocolate and peanut butter recipe coming your way. This time I made some cookies for my husband to take into his office here in Fort Worth. His colleagues have been so kind to us, and even read this blog! They definitely deserve some cookies! You are right, he's already been in the office for more than 2 weeks now, but we were without a working oven. No oven

Guest Post: Remembering the Spiced Peaches of Life

2010-09-09T11:44:00.000-04:00

I'm lucky to come from a family of cooks. I'm also lucky to be supported in my blogging efforts by a large circle of family and friends, including my parents. Turning the attention to them, I'm thrilled to share another guest post with you. This post on spiced peaches is from my dad with help from my mom. Recently while on an extended weekend to the Hill Country of Texas we acquired a 1/4

End of Summer Risotto

2010-09-08T16:07:00.000-04:00

The Midwestern boy that he is, my husband cannot get enough corn. Truth be told, I get rather tired of eating corn on the cob, and look for other ways to include this summer bounty in our dinners. This dish made me excited to eat more corn. Risotto with Corn, Sausage, and Spinach Serves 4 to 6 6 cups chicken broth 3 ears of fresh corn, shucked 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil 3 cloves of

Chocolate Butterfinger Cookies

2010-09-07T09:47:00.000-04:00

I made some cookies for my husband to take to the office when he decided to take the temporary position in Fort Worth. We thought his colleagues in DC would appreciate something special before he left. It took me a while to decide what kind of cookies to make. I'd read a few online posts about folks making Butterfinger cookies based on a recipe from Food and Wine. They looked good, but that

Meatless Mondays

2010-09-06T15:36:00.000-04:00

My friend Trish recommended that some of my readers might eat less meat than my husband and I and would therefore appreciate more veggie dishes. Great point, Trish! I've been following the movement among public health leaders to encourage individuals to cut out consumption of meat at least one day of week with Meatless Mondays. In our household, we are trying to eat less meat and increase our

A Dash of Texas with Chesapeake Bay Crab

2010-09-03T14:57:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago my husband came home from the grocery store with a surprise for me. He had seen a sign for a crab recipe contest and knew we could come up with something good. So, he handed me a couple of pints of back fin Chesapeake Bay crab meat, and we got to brainstorming. Well, with the home renovations and the temporary move to Texas, the timing wasn't right for the contest, but I'm

Chocolate Peanut Butter Birthday

2010-09-02T15:14:00.000-04:00

My husband's favorite flavor combination is chocolate and peanut butter so it was pretty easy to figure out what cake to make for his birthday. He appeared to have enjoyed it as he helped himself to three slices that evening and ate it again for breakfast the next morning. Just as well - it doesn't keep well past about three days. This is a really easy cake to make, and it transports well, so

Late Night Snack Bars

2010-09-01T11:15:00.000-04:00

I didn't feel comfortable giving new parents Dave and Wendy only a casserole dish of macaroni and cheese. I mean, they also need dessert, right? Yeah, I gave them a fruit salad, but they need a treat, too. How about something hearty to give Wendy some energy after late-night feedings? Okay, so maybe some oats...add some nuts...chocolate is expected, of course... Chocolate Oat Snack Bars

Welcome Home Macaroni

2010-08-31T17:52:00.000-04:00

Dear Jamie, What a lucky little girl you are! You have been given two of the coolest parents. They have intelligence, wit, great taste, and are overwhelming kind and generous. With them supporting you, I can't wait to see how smart, funny, and charming you will become. You are a week old today. I'm grateful to have seen you every day for the first five days of your life. It was great to see

I'm Back

2010-08-31T17:02:00.001-04:00

Hi, friends. Please forgive my absence. I've missed all of you. Recent developments in the life of Cook in the Bar have taken me away from my kitchen and writing. First there were home renovations. Need I say more? Then, I had some computer problems. All cleared up now. And, drumroll, please...A Cook Walks Into a Bar is now coming to you temporarily from Texas. Yay, y'all! Yes, my

Recipe in a Pickle Jar

2010-08-06T10:33:00.000-04:00

My husband and I go through jars of pickles like crazy. After seeing some online posts of pickle brined dishes, I decided to not just dump out the juice next time we finished a jar of pickles. The recipes I found used different techniques - braising, baking, frying, etc...Chicken seemed like the best choice for brining, and I thought breading and frying would taste too much like Chick-fil-a,

Scalloped Potatoes

2010-08-05T08:33:00.000-04:00

These made a perfect side dish for our Lobel's tenderloin steaks... Scalloped Potatoes Serves 6 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, cut into small pieces, with more for baking dish 1 1/4 cup heavy cream 1 1/4 cup whole milk 3 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 6 large potatoes, peeled and sliced 1/8 inch thick Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat

Texas Foodways

2010-08-04T15:34:00.000-04:00

Foodways Texas was launched a few weeks ago with the aim to promote, preserve and celebrate the diverse food cultures of Texas. Its initial members include Texas farmers, cattle ranchers, microbrewers, academics, historians, chefs, restaurateurs, and food writers from throughout the state. This organization has been modeled after the Southern Foodways Alliance, a nonprofit

Meaty Gratitude

2010-08-04T10:42:00.001-04:00

As an extra special thank you, our friends Dave and Wendy bought us some steaks from Lobel's of New York. Wow. What a great gift. I tore open the box and was thrilled by some of the best-looking steaks I had ever seen. I have heard good things about this butcher shop and I couldn't wait to try it for myself. Lobel's specializes in USDA prime, dry aged beef. When beef is dry aged, the

Flat Out Good

2010-07-29T09:33:00.000-04:00

A relative newcomer at the butcher's, the flat iron cut has become one of the best-selling steaks in both grocery markets and restaurants. It has been described as having the tenderness of a tenderloin and the taste of a sirloin. The flat iron steak comes from the blade roast of the beef shoulder or chuck. There is a thick piece of connective tissue that runs directly through the center of it

Gin It Up

2010-07-28T09:08:00.002-04:00

Did you know that the folks who brew Anchor Steam Beer are now making gin and whiskey? In the early 90s, the company opened Anchor Distillery, a microdistillery in the same location as the brewery, and began making a single malt rye whiskey, named Old Portero. A few years later, the microdistillery began producing gin, called Junípero, which is Spanish for juniper. More recently, they have

Angry Clams

2010-07-26T09:27:00.000-04:00

We like things spicy around here. By that I mostly mean, we like to eat spicy foods. In fact, we add peppers and other spicy elements to just about everything we eat. I was craving pasta and figured I would make us a quick arrabiata sauce. Arrabiata means angry in Italian, and describes a simple tomato sauce liberally doused with red pepper. I changed tack after seeing some cans of clams in

Book Review: 52 Loaves by William Alexander

2010-07-23T06:29:00.001-04:00

In his new book, 52 Loaves: One Man's Relentless Pursuit of Truth, Meaning, and a Perfect Crust, William Alexander describes the year he spent baking a loaf of bread each week in an attempt to replicate a loaf of peasant bread he once tasted. In living out this obsession, he grows and grinds his own wheat, wins second place in a New York State Fair bread contest, and travels to a 1,300-year-old

Peachy Keen for Pie

2010-07-21T11:02:00.000-04:00

I've been feeling a bit homesick lately. I find that I usually turn to cooking dishes from home to help me through those feelings. The brisket we smoked this weekend definitely helped, but so did the peach blueberry pie. July is usually the sweetest month for peaches in the Hill Country of Texas. If I were back in Texas now, I would have already gone peach picking and made a ridiculous number

Garlicky Goodness

2010-07-20T08:29:00.000-04:00

My mother came for a visit this weekend and while she was in town my brother requested she make one of his favorite dishes - Garlicky Chicken. Think breaded chicken pieces, pasta, and a butter sauce loaded with garlic...This is not a diet dish. This is a dish that Mom created for us when we were kids and it was a hit from the start. It was no different this time. If you love garlic, you are

The Day the Brisket Came to Stay

2010-07-19T14:14:00.001-04:00

Readers of this blog may recall that my husband and I used a hard suitcase to bring back barbeque beef brisket from our last trip to Texas. Well, no more, my friends! As an early birthday present, my husband gave me a Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker and we used it this weekend to smoke an incredibly delicious beef brisket. Of course, the lack of a smoker was not the only reason we smuggled Texas

You Got Chocolate on My Zucchini

2010-07-17T10:43:00.002-04:00

Remember those commercials for Reese's Peanut Butter Cups? Two people, one eating a jar of peanut butter while walking down the street and the other eating a chocolate bar, would collide. One would exclaim, "You got peanut butter on my chocolate!" The other would exclaim, "You got chocolate on my peanut butter!" They'd take a bite to try the combination, and the voice-over would say, "Two