Burger, Bread, Fries (Homemade Everything)

By David

Homemade hamburger, on a homemade bread bun, served with homemade fries. Notice the theme?

If only I did homemade pickles and homemade ketchup to complete the ensemble. Or homemade... bacon?

Two Cheese Ravioli (Homemade Everything)

By David

Fresh ravioli stuffed with shredded marble cheese and homemade paneer. I made the pasta from scratch and the sauce too. My wife said it was one of the best things I've made - I'll take that compliment!

Making ravioli:

Step 1: A simple pasta recipe: 3/4 cup flour + 1 egg + spices

Step 2: Roll that bad boy out

Step 3: Add your filling (mine was just cheese + cheese + olive oil + spices)

Step 4: Cut in half, brush with water, and plop on top.

Step 5: Press together, cut and place boiling water til it floats (doesn't take very long)

Voila!

Homemade Paneer

By David

My first endeavor into cheese-making. I got impatient looking around the city for rennet, so tried this recipe in the meantime. It was pretty easy to make, but has sparked my curiosity into making mozzarella and other cheeses. Wish me luck!

Step 1: Heat milk to 185F

Step 2: Add acidic liquid (white vinegar in this case)

Step 3: Let it settle and scoop out the curds

Step 4: Knead the curds and form into a ball.

Mapo Tofu

By David

Who says tofu needs to be vegetarian? This Chinese dish may not look super pretty, but it's delicious and dead easy to make. Plus, it's wicked cheap - just beef, tofu, onions, hoi shin sauce, and soy sauce. (Traditionally made with ground pork, but I improvised)

Chicken Alfredo

By David

My wife had some extra cream cheese spread, so I whipped up a quick Alfredo sauce to go with some chicken and rotini pasta. Unfortunately, did not have cream on hand, which would have kicked this up to an 11.

Baked Chicken Fingers and Fries

By David

Chicken Fingers and Fries, all baked in the oven! A slightly-more-healthy and slightly-less-tasty alternative to the deep fryer. Served with Apricot Chutney and (of course) beer.

Bonus: Your house and clothing does not reek of lard.

Cupcake!

By Michael

Prairie Girl Bakery cupcakes have become a staple in my office. Best consumed at every meal, or meeting. Side effects include sugar rush, diabetes, goodwill, and happiness. Cupcakes pictured above are Red Velvet, and Vanilla Coconut.  

Mama's Chicken and Peas

By David

Chicken thighs fried in bacon fat and then braised in home-made turkey broth. Served with homefries and bread (also home-made).

Inspired by Smoke's Poutinerie's Mama's Poutine.

Meat Mondays: Lechon

via Ilona

Artist's Desription:

If there’s one thing I love about my Filipino side, we know how to feed a family – and then some. Don’t even try to test our rotisserie skills, nobody roasts a suckling pig like we do. Crispy crunchy crackling skin housing incredibly flavorful and juicy meat. See that gaping absence between the head and the butt? That shit’s all in my belly! Sorry I didn’t take a before picture, I was too busy throwing elbows to get first dibs on the skin. This little piggy comes courtesy of Miracle Thieves at The Pearl, the inaugural Philippines edition of their Cultural Series.

Meat Mondays is your weekly post of pretty protein. For the month of May, Ilona will be making Mondays that much better.

You CAN make Friends with this salad!

By Michael

Generally speaking at Taste du Jour, we all believe that "You don't make friends with salad", but this salad has changed the world. These fresh greens are accompanied by apple smoked bacon, and freshly grated parmigiano. The piece de resistance are the pecans that were toasted in bacon fat, and candied with real Canadian maple syrup.

Life = Changed.