Fresh Eggs

This is a picture of eggs that I found at a local market that are fresh from the chicken’s …….You get the point.  At this market they have free running (or free range) chickens that they get the eggs from twice a day, usually around 24 a day.  Over the next few days I plan [...]

Catering

If you are ever in Edinburgh, Scotland (perhaps a good base to start hiking the notorious “Whisky Trail”), then look up my friend from culinary school, Campbell Barbee.  He and I attended Le Cordon Bleu together, Campbell luckily stayed in the U.K. for more experience.  He can be found currently at Herbie of Edinburgh (online [...]

Pepsi vs. Coke

I know this is an age old question (at least beginning with my generation), but I still have no answer.  I have to decide soon which will go into the restaurant.  I like Pepsi personally, but have found that many, many people say they prefer Coke products, mainly Diet Coke.  I am not sure if [...]

New Hood System

We finally received our two new hoods the other day.  I know they are not installed just yet, but they had to be delivered before they get installed right?  So at least we are moving in the right direction.  Any progress is good, and in all honesty you can’t cook without a hood system.
–matt bolus

Finished Purple Basil Pesto

I gathered the ingredients and made the pesto.  The recipe I use does not produce a huge batch and is very hard to cut down, mainly because by cutting it in half means you are making pesto by hand.  I have made pesto by hand before (first couple of terms in culinary school we were [...]

Smoked Duck Legs

With the new smoker in hand I knew that duck meat would soon be on the list of things to accomplish. 
Fortunately a photo shoot with FireFly Vodka brought this venture to the forefront.  I hate buying specific pieces of an animal, especially birds.  Why buy chicken or duck breasts for a high price when you [...]

Insulation Finished

The final pieces of insulation were installed today and we are now ready to be inspected.  Cross your fingers.
– matt bolus

Back to the Bananas

Peppers that is.  I had to come up with a different title because honestly I thought some of you might be tired of hearing about banana peppers.  These peppers are so interesting to me because up until about a year ago they were nothing more than something I pulled from a jar to put on [...]

Basil Flowers

I had to post this picture.  I have never really seen a basil flower.  I have seen them start to bloom but have always picked them off the plant in an attemp to make the plant bush out more.  They remind me off a miniture snapdragon.  I wonder if they taste as bold as thyme [...]

Purple Basil Pesto

Not a new idea I am sure, but looking at the large plant of purple basil I have growing in the garden I have to think about it.  What would the colors look like together.  The golden brown of the pine nuts, the emerald green of the olive oil, the pale almond color of the [...]