Salt-Crusted Dorade

Salt-Crusted Dorade Presentation

Our trip to France exposed me to some marvelous foods, such as the spicy Moroccan olives and leek pie I mentioned previously. But it also taught me about different cooking methods. Thus I learned how to bake a salt-crusted fish whole.

I’ll admit I was hesitant at first–the idea seemed a little unappetizing. But I put my skepticism aside and forged ahead in the interest of trying something new.

So what is a salt crust, and how does it work? It’s a mixture of salt crystals and egg whites. You completely surround the fish—or chicken or beef—with the salt mixture, creating a hard crust that traps moisture. This effectively steams the meat, making it tender and moist. read more

Santouka Ramen Chicago

Santouka Spicy-Miso Ramen

I can’t seem to get enough Japanese food of late—I blame Raku for reminding me just how delicious it can be. Corey and I recently went to Mitsuwa Marketplace, the largest Japanese grocery store in the Midwest. It’s located in Arlington Heights, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago.

This market is a gem for Japanese food enthusiasts—chefs and diners alike. It boasts a wide selection of sushi-grade seafood, fresh produce, and dried goods and snacks, as well as a liquor store, bookstore, bakery, video store, and various food vendors. read more

Classic French Mussels in White Wine Broth

Classic French Mussels in White Wine Broth

Oh France, how I miss thee! France was a decadent dream filled with delicious delights and exquisite sights. Whenever I start longing for Europe, I peruse my trip diary and re-create something we ate there.

We had these classic French mussels (moules marinières) on our second night in Noyon, following our wonderful dinner the night before. These classic French mussels are steamed with garlic, shallots, parsley, white wine, butter, and cream. As they cook, their shells open and they absorb the rich flavors of the broth. read more

Blood-Splattered Cookies

Blood-Splattered Cookies

Blood-splattered cookies are a deliciously morbid Halloween treat. They’re also wickedly fun to make. These blood-splattered cookies are a mash-up of Jackson Pollock and Dexter–Pollock’s ingenuity plus Dexter’s insanity equal disturbingly beautiful Halloween cookies.

These blood-splattered cookies are somewhat labor-intensive, but the dramatic results of slinging icing like a madwoman definitely make them worthwhile.

  • Start off with round cookies of your choosing

I made a combination of chocolate and sugar cookies. Allow the cookies to cool completely before applying the icing. read more

Raku Las Vegas

Agedashi Tofu Raku Las Vegas

Agedashi Tofu at Raku in Las Vegas

I’m so glad that Corey and I ventured off the Las Vegas strip on our recent vacation to try Raku—an authentic Japanese restaurant located in the heart of Chinatown. That day we had completed an 11.6-mile hike in the blazing desert sun at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, and we were very tempted to lounge in our hotel room and get room service.  But I knew I couldn’t pass up the chance to eat at Raku, especially after reading all the rave reviews. read more