Tuesday, July 1, 2014

July 4th Family Cookout

4th Of July Celebration





Sweet and Spicy Smoked Baby Back Ribs
Yield: 6 lbs, 8-10 servings
Prep time: 24 hours
Cook time: 4 hours

Rub Ingredients
4 racks baby back ribs (about 8 lbs)
1 cup brown sugar
2 Tbsp kosher salt
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 Tbsp mustard powder
1 Tbsp garlic powder
1 tsp cayenne
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp instant coffee

Sauce Ingredients
1 large onion, diced
1 Tbsp garlic, minced
1 Tbsp kosher salt
2 Tbsp tomato paste
1 cup ketchup
1 cup water
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup molasses
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 bay leaf


The Maize

Grilled Corn with Chili Honey Butter
Yield: 8 ears
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes

8 ears yellow sweet corn
1 lb unsalted butter
1 Tbsp chili powder
2 Tbsp honey
1 tsp garlic powder
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

5. Remove the charred husk and slather with chili butter.

The Side Dishes

Red Bliss Potato Salad
Yield: 2 quarts, 8-10 servings
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes

3 lbs small red skin potatoes
1 cup mayonnaise
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1/2 cup celery, small dice
1/2 cup red onion, small dice
1 Tbsp kosher salt
1 tsp cracked black pepper
1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped


Mozzarella and Tomato Salad
Yield: 2 quarts, 8-10 servings
Prep time: 15 minutes

4 cups mixed cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup small fresh mozzarella balls, halved
1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
1 Tbsp garlic, minced
1 Tbsp kosher salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 Tbsp lemon juice
2 Tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup fresh basil, chiffonade


Happy July 4th Everyone


Monday, March 31, 2014

Chef Tip: How to Cook a Duck Breast

The Perfect Duck Breast

      This week we received an email from our friend Joe M. in Massachusetts who wants to cook a special meal for his wife. The first thing we thought of was Duck breast. Duck is a beautiful protein that most people only eat when at a restaurant, so cooking it at home will surely impress your significant other.

      Duck is an animal that is cooked completely differently than it may seem. The legs are tough and fat which are best when braised or confit; and the breast are cooked more similarly to beef than chicken. Unlike a chicken the skin of the duck breast is very thick and fatty, but when rendered out it becomes the most crisp and succulent part of the dish. For Repair My Recipe cooking the perfect Duck breast involves a cast iron skillet and low heat to render out the fat. This all begins though with preparing the duck breast.

1. Begin by scoring the skin of the duck using the point of a sharp paring knife. Scoring is slicing through just the top layer of skin so that the fat underneath can render out.

2. Pat the skin dry with a paper towel and season with salt and pepper.
3. Lay the duck breast skin side down in a cold cast iron skillet. Turn the heat to medium and allow the fat to melt and skin to crisp, about 10 minutes.

4. Once golden brown and crisp flip the duck breast, add a nice pat of butter, a garlic clove, and a sprig of thyme and rosemary.  Baste the duck with the flavored butter and cook over high heat for 5 minutes. Internal temperature should read about 130 F, REMEMBER it should be medium rare.

5. Remove the duck breast from the pan and allow it to rest for 5 minutes. Slice thinly and enjoy.

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Ultimate Superbowl Cheese Ball

Bacon Beer Cheese Ball
Yield: 6-8 servings
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Cooling time: 1 hour

      The BIG Sunday is almost here and everyone should be prepared. Whether you're into watching the game or just there for the commercials the most important aspect is the food. The super bowl spread is filled with giant pots of chili, plates of nachos, and bowls of wings but what happened to the lonely cheese ball?Prepackaged cheese balls are now reserved to the dark corner of the dairy aisle with their red wine swirl and sliced almonds. Why not bring it back to glory? Add some creativity, fresh ingredients, and make this snack the centerpiece of your spread.

4 Slices Bacon, diced
1/4 up Beer
8 oz Sharp Cheddar Cheese, grated
4 o Cream Cheese, at room temperature
1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp Black Pepper
1 tsp sugar
1/4 cup chives, minced
1 cup Pretzels, crushed

1. Heat a saute pan over medium heat and add the diced bacon. Cook until the fat has rendered out and bacon is crisped, about 5 minutes.
2. When the bacon is cooked deglaze the pan by adding the beer. Simmer on low heat for 2 minutes just to cook off the alcohol and concentrate the flavor, Then turn off the heat and allow to cool.
3. In a mixing bowl combine the grated cheddar and cream cheese with a rubber spatula. Add the bacon and beer mixture, Worcestershire sauce, pepper,sugar, and chive and stir to thoroughly combine.
4. Lay out a piece of plastic wrap approximately 12 x 12 inches on the counter. Place the cheese mixture in the center of the plastic and wrap it by bringing all four corners together. Twist the plastic and use your hands to form the cheese into a ball shape.
5. Refrigerate for 1 hour until the cheese has hardened into the shape. Crush 1 cup of pretzels in either a ziploc bag with a rolling pin or a few pulses in a food processor.
6. Remove the plastic from the cheese ball and roll it in the crushed pretzels to create a crust. The wrap in fresh plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use.


Monday, January 20, 2014

Cauliflower Bisque

Roasted Cauliflower and Celeriac Bisque
Yield: 3 quarts, 6-8 servings
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes

      We've heard that the new "it" vegetable of 2014 is going to be cauliflower, and why not. This versatile vegetable can be steamed, roasted, mashed,or pureed and can act as a replacement in many savory dishes. Since its national soup month the chefs decided to create a creamy soup that anyone can make on a weekday.

1 head Cauliflower
2 cup Celeriac, peeled and diced
1 Tbsp salt
1 Tbsp pepper
1/4 cup olive oil
1 cup onion, small diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup white wine
6 cups chicken stock or veg stock
1 cup heavy cream

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Prep the cauliflower by removing the core and green leaves, and separating into florets. Peel the skin off of the celeriac and dice it into large chunks.
2. Combine the cauliflower and celeriac in a large bowl and toss with the salt, pepper, and oil. Spread into a single layer on a baking sheet and roast in the oven for 30 minutes.
3.  When the vegetables are tender heat a tablespoon of oil in a large soup pot, add the onions and garlic and cook for 5 minutes over medium heat.
4. Add the roasted vegetables to the pot and de-glaze with the white wine.
5. Pour in the chicken stock and heavy cream, simmer on low for 15 minutes.
6. Blend the soup in batches using a blender on high until a smooth consistency is achieved. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

Chef's Note
      Celeriac is a winter vegetable that is the bulbous root of a variety of celery. It has a low starch level and taste similar to stalk celery but with a little sweetness. If celeriac is not available at your store parsnips are a great replacement or just use all cauliflower.
