Category Archives: Cooking

Here you’ll find everything about cooking that isn’t actually a recipe. Tips, techniques, gripes, whatever.

Oscar’s Smokehouse Smoked Pork Chops

Oscar’s Smokehouse Smoked Pork Chops come from Warrensburg, a town 35 miles north of Saratoga Springs in the foothills of the Adirondacks. It’s a bit far to drive for a pack of meat (though the trip is beautiful on the … Continue reading

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Food for Thought: Love Kari Cooking

I came across the Love Kari Cooking Youtube channel because  I wanted to make tamales as my first experience with Masienda artisanal masa. And, since the New Year’s celebration had passed with my potential tamale party participants scurrying to the … Continue reading

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Food for Thought: Masa and Masienda

I received quite a nice Christmas gift: a four-pack of artisanal masas from Masienda, accompanied by Masa*, a beautiful book by Masienda’s founder Jorge Gaviria. It being the holiday season, I immediately dove into the topic of tamales. My 1972 … Continue reading

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Olivye Salad for New Years

Kate at the Sunday Stack shared this very traditional Russian recipe for Olivye Salad which she says is always served at New Years Eve. We were charmed by the family quirks (why would you pat gherkins dry after chopping them?) … Continue reading

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Indoor Grilling with BlueStar

The Old Farmer’s Almanac correctly predicted a bitter cold winter for the Northeast, so I can see myself doing a lot of indoor grilling on the BlueStar over the next couple of months.  It helps that Tom Thibeault of Adirondack … Continue reading

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Reverse sear prime rib? Not a fan.

Yesterday as planned I used the reverse sear method to cook my 5 pound prime rib roast from Hannaford. The meat had been refrigerator aging under a Kosher salt rub since Monday. At 12:30 pm I took it out to … Continue reading

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Prime rib prices 2025

Prime rib prices are coming down for Christmas dinner in 2025, but that doesn’t mean they are cheap. Of the two major supermarkets in my town, Market 32 has Select grade bone in rib roasts for $8.99/lb (they call it … Continue reading

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Hacking Bi Rite Market in San Francisco

Bi Rite Market is a high end mini-supermarket chain in San Francisco with impeccable goods and prices to match. They recently opened a branch on Polk St, near where I stay when in town, so I went exploring in the … Continue reading

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Taste test: cafeteria baked fish

Our success with Mediterranean Baked Fish made us nostalgic for the cafeteria baked fish served at the late lamented Highland Park Cafeteria. I recall it as being moist and juicy with a mild butter based sauce and a sprinkle of … Continue reading

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Do you need purified water for sourdough baking?

I read somewhere that you should use purified water for sourdough baking because the chlorine in tap water retards the yeast. Have dutifully done this for years without questioning. Then I noticed my purified water actually has chemicals added (baking … Continue reading

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