Born and raised in New York, Irish Catholic to boot, soul food was something that I did not discover until I moved south and became a chef at Duke University. Cooking alongside a marvelous group of true Southerners that included grandmothers, fathers and sons and generations of cousins, I learned first hand the true history of soul food. Years later when I was the Executive Chef for the NBA’s Sacramento Kings, my kitchen team and I were often asked to prepare the comforts of home cooking for our great hoop stars. They were a bashful bunch but every now and again they would peek into the …
From pregame to postgame and all the commercials in between, Super Bowl Sunday lasts a long time. Create, quick simple and delicious Vince Lombardi Trophy-winning menu items that will hold up over time and temperature. Skip the bag of tortilla chips and jar of salsa, hold off on ordering that pizza and put your game day cooking skills to work with a few of these sure to be super fan favorites. For complete recipes, email me at yellowbandchef@gmail.com Game Day Dips Served with flatbreads, bread sticks, pita chips and a variety of fresh vegetables like Belgian endive, carrots, cucumbers, red …
Like never before, the measurement of food trends in the United States is not only being followed and lead by chefs, retailers and food manufacturers, but most importantly farmers, fishermen, butchers and bakers. The amount of experimentation with food in 2012 will set a new pace for the industry as well as new eating and drinking habits for generations to come. Creativity and innovation are more critical than ever to provide the now very savvy food enthusiasts with exciting restaurant dining experiences and cooking at home diversity. Simplicity is the key to life these days for everyone …
We are in the heart of football season and what a great time for fun with food and friends! As in football, a winning tailgate celebration requires a game plan. Make what you can ahead of time, team up with your friends and divvy up the menu for all the players to participate in on the action. Think like a pro and stick to your game plan. During a recent game day visit to the market, I stood in the checkout line behind a young woman purchasing frozen meatballs, grape jelly, cocktail sauce and ketchup…My immediate thoughts took me back to 60s and what every modern day mom served up for their …
Let’s face it, everyone is sick and tired of the heat this summer. With extremely high temperatures causing even higher electric bills, who wants to turn the stove on or even stand outside over the hot grill? With the abundance of late summer fruits and vegetables, cured meats, savory cheeses and seafood readily available to us, keeping it cool in the kitchen while satisfying your friends and family with fresh, simple and delicious culinary creations takes no heat at all. Creating non-cooked foods for the end of the summer is quick, simple and fun. Get a bit of cool inspiration from these …
Nothing says summertime like a great picnic! Friends and family gathering together in the park, at a concert, on the deck or simply in the backyard is a great way to celebrate the fabulous foods of the season. The main key to the perfect picnic is “No Muss No Fuss.” Keeping that in mind put your culinary skills at ease with a few quick, simple and delicious tips to planning a bit of summertime fun. Gather the gang together, divvy up the menu list and embrace one of 2011’s top-10 trends: the year of the Pot Luck! Spreads and Schmears – served with a variety of flatbreads, ciabatta and foccacia…
A Place Just For Dad We many not shower him with praise Nor mention his name in song, And sometimes it seems that we forget The joy he spreads as he goes along, But it doesn't mean that we don't know The wonderful role that he has had. And away down deep in every heart There's a place that is just for Dad... ~ Author Unknown Forget the Old Spice, the stand by tie or the new BBQ grilling tool set. Cook up a quick, simple and delicious meal for the man who always masters the grill. Make it a family day honoring Dad and let him take a day off from all the grilling to do a little chilling. Brush …
As a young girl growing up in upstate New York, each summer I was fortunate to visit Saratoga Springs with my grandfather to “watch the ponies’ race” as he would say. Our time together was thrilling for me as we shared a special bond getting dressed up and making a trip over to Hattie’s Restaurant for their famous fried chicken and a root beer. When it came time for me to pick the horse I was going to cheer for, my gambling logic wasn’t all that scientific, but typically based upon the name of the horse or the color of the jockey’s silks. I did pick a winner or two over the years, and have …
Passover is the Jewish holy day and festival that celebrates the exodus of the ancient Israelites who were freed from slavery in Egypt. It begins at sundown Monday and continues for eight days. It is traditional for Jewish families to gather together on the first night of Passover for a special meal called a Seder. Seder is the Hebrew word for order. The Passover Seder is a festive meal that is conducted in an organized way so that all the mitzvot (God's commandments) of Passover will be performed. At the Seder table, a special book called the Passover Haggadah is read out loud. The Haggadah …
Ahhh Valentine’s Day – the Hallmark holiday of holidays! Traditionally it is the romantic holiday where lovers express their love for each other with flowers, confections and cards. Saint Valentine's Day is named after one or more Christian martyrs and was established by Pope Gelasius I in 500 AD. Here in the USA, where we tend to turn every holiday into a moneymaker. Jewelers are pushing their baubles, chocolatiers have created beautifully packaged confections, and florists jack the price up for roses. Beyond the entire mixed bag of gifts, one should take note that restaurants everywhere …
Born and raised in New York, Irish Catholic to boot, soul food was something that I did not discover until I moved south and became a chef at Duke University. Cooking alongside a marvelous group of true Southerners that included grandmothers, fathers and sons and generations of cousins, I learned first hand the true history of soul food. Years later when I was the Executive Chef for the NBA’s Sacramento Kings, my kitchen team and I were often asked to prepare the comforts of home cooking for our great hoop stars. They were a bashful bunch but every now and again they would peek into the …
Atlanta's giant peach has dropped and the countdown is over. Come Saturday, get the New Year off to a phenomenal start by gathering friends and family together for a delicious day of foods chock-full of good fortune. Nothing says New Year's Day like food, football and fun and there should be plenty of all with six college bowl games slated for Jan. 1. So no matter who you root for, whether it's your alma mater or just a grand daddy of a Rose Bowl parade float, create the perfect kickoff to 2011 with food your fans will think came from heaven. Gain riches, love and an abundance of good fortune…
We have been hearing it since St. Patty's Day "Only 283 shopping days left until Christmas"…. and counting. So as we head into the home stretch this holiday season and the hustle and the bustle of shopping has taken its toll on your wallet and sanity, consider whipping up a few easy and affordable homemade treats from your kitchen. Herbal vinegars and butters are quick, simple and delicious. Take a visit to the Cobb International Farmers Market where you will find an endless variety of fresh herbs to use as your infusing agents.* Select a variety of glass jars and bottles that you can …
