Terrine Bordelaise

Making a terrine or pate en terrine is not as easy as making a meatloaf. I’ve read so many recipes in various books from well-respected authors who always use that silly introduction to their recipe for a rustic country terrine. The line inevitably goes something like “oh don’t be intimidated by the Frenchy name and…… Continue reading Terrine Bordelaise

Reverse Seared Pork Loin with pumpkin, greens and cane syrup

I love cooking proteins gently in a perfectly temperature-controlled water container (sous vide). It’s a method that’s very difficult to replicate for certain preparations. It is convenient. It hits that nerdy tech-loving precision oriented part of my brain. However, it requires in most cases the use of plastic bags. It bothers me a bit every…… Continue reading Reverse Seared Pork Loin with pumpkin, greens and cane syrup

Confit de Porc

Confit has to be one of the most reward to effort ratio meat preparations that exist. Salt and season, cook gently in fat, store, reheat and eat. That’s it. In these cooler months it is a comforting, relaxing and delicious preparation. No, there is not that much more to it. Pork confit is what I…… Continue reading Confit de Porc

Sugo and Polenta with Over- Easy Egg

Rustic, but not simple, as it gets and so very satisfying. The combination of tender polenta and some sort of saucy meat is a classic. This one, based on a recipe from the book Hello! My Name is Tasty (I’m loving this book and I wrote about it previously here), is an excellent example of…… Continue reading Sugo and Polenta with Over- Easy Egg

Glandoulat: Red Beans and Pork with Carrots from the Southwest of France

Cool name but really this is a delicious classic combination of pork and beans made all the more refined and nuanced because it’s another recipe from Paula Wolfert’s The Cooking of Southwest France.  It’s perfect for the cool weather months and simpler to prepare than a Cassoulet or Garbure (It’s been a while since I…… Continue reading Glandoulat: Red Beans and Pork with Carrots from the Southwest of France

Equilibrium-Brined Pork Belly

Brining has been in the culinary home cook’s lexicon for the better part of maybe 15 years now. I first heard about it in a beloved episode of Alton Brown’s “Good Eats” where he brines the Thanksgiving turkey. It sounded so damn cool and science-y. It is a powerful trick that anyone can do and…… Continue reading Equilibrium-Brined Pork Belly

Pork Tenderloin, Cauliflower and Brussels Sprouts with Cider Sauce

  Mid-week dinners do not have to be boring, sloppy or rushed. A meal like this looks great, tastes awesome and comes together in less than an hour. The only shopping i did for this was to stop by at the store to figure out what the protein is going to be. It could’ve been…… Continue reading Pork Tenderloin, Cauliflower and Brussels Sprouts with Cider Sauce