The Mechanic CooksThe joke is when you’re young you can eat anything on the menu. However, when you’re old, you can only eat the menu (cardboard, the low fat, low sodium, low cholesterol dietary substitute). Unfortunately, as we approach middle age (there is a discussion as to when middle age is, exactly), and see our doctors on…
When we think of chicken wings we don’t always think of healthy. Fried, greasy wings coated in a thick sauce, dipped in blue cheese dressing and washed down with beer. This sounds really good, trust me, I’ve had my share, but does not fit into a healthy lifestyle. Well, using a little modern technology, a…
Lately I’ve been looking for alternatives to high carb veggies, and, with the rutabaga, I’ve found a good one. I grew up eating rutabaga, mum usually would mash it. But in England I knew it as a swede. So today I made rutabaga and Italian sausage stew, it was really delicious, so, I thought I’d…
If you’re a reader of my blog, you’ll know, it’s in every recipe. It’s a building block of any savory base. Onion, pepper and garlic are my go to mirepoix. But why? What is it about garlic? Does it have medicinal qualities? And, what about the vampire myth? Why is it so pungent raw, yet…
A little while ago I was asked to make some chicken feet broth. There’s only one problem. Chicken feet are gross! However, it turns out, it’s good for you, and the doggies too, it’s a great source of collagen. As always, when I write a post, I do the research, and, cook the recipe to…
One day my good friend Rita handed me a package of chicken feet. Of all the parts of the chicken, the feet are not exactly something I run to cook. They’re kind of gross. I vaguely remember a book I used to read to my sons at bed time about chicken feet in a soup.…
The slow cooker is a magical device. Put in the ingredients, cook on low all day, and you end up with a bowl of delicious. It’s definitely an essential kitchen appliance, I love mine. Contrary to popular belief, good isn’t quick. Flavors need time to develop. The slow cooker creates a dish that is more…
Somehow I’ve managed to make it this far into my life without eggplant. However, like the Dr. Seuss character, after tasting green eggs and ham declares how he likes it, well, I, like eggplant. It came from a conversation with a good friend, who, it appears prefers their eggplant barely dressed with seasoning and baked.…
It doesn’t matter what we’re cooking, oil is going to be on the ingredient list. We are taught that oil is fat, and fat, is unhealthy, but, it appears that is not the case with all oils. Fat is a major part of cooking, it adds flavor, and makes pastry flaky. Fat is also an…
Sides are just as important as the main portion of the plate. They add color, and goodness, and, sometimes just need to be there. So, sometimes fries just have to be on the side. But, I’m more conscious about what I eat now. I want fries, I just want them a little healthier. So if…
