Gumbo. The name alone invokes the bayous of Louisiana, steamy and swampy. Or maybe the wild debauchery of Bourbon St. in the French Quarter of New Orleans. For me it means memories of family sitting around the dinner table with big bowls of chicken, sausage, shrimp and crab leg stuffed gumbo. The taste of […]
Homemade Pastrami
In the world of cold cuts, pastrami reigns supreme. It is at turns salty, spicy, good served warm or cold, piled high or low. It is the ultimate sandwich meat. When I joined up with the increasingly impressive group of food folks doing Charcutepalooza, I knew I wanted to tackle pastrami. Last months challenge was […]
Homemade Corned Beef & The “Ruby” Sandwich
Every year on St. Patrick’s Day my family goes the traditional route and has corned beef and cabbage. Am I Irish? Well, I do have Irish ancestors, but if you look at my picture you know I am not Irish! But everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, right? This month’s Charcutepalooza challenge was to […]
How to Make Pork Cracklings
Pork crack. . . I mean pork cracklings. Also known as pork rinds, chicarrones, deep fried fried pork skin. Practically every country in the world has a version of pork cracklings. Remember a few years ago when the Atkins Diet was all the rage? Sales of pork rinds went through the roof because, although they […]
Home Cured Maple-Pepper Bacon
If you follow my blog even the slightest bit, you will know I love pork. Especially bacon. And my 4 year old loves bacon so much that given the choice between me and bacon, I think the bacon would win. Never mind that I gave birth to her. I have always entertained the idea of […]