Summer Vegetable Tian

This is an elegant way to use up those bountiful summer vegetables.  Using a mandoline to slice the vegetables is your best bet.  The thinner the slices are the more evenly they will cook.  Some of you might have a food processer with a thin blade, that would work too.  You certainly can do it…

Grilled Avocados

On my trip to the West side this Fourth of July I had the pleasure of dinner out with some of the kids.  We went to a small Italian restaurant whose featured appetizer was grilled avocados.  Whoever heard of that?  Well now you have!  They are fun, delicious , colorful, and a conversation starter.  What…

Jeff’s Barbecue Baby Back Ribs

This is by far the best method of cooking barbecue ribs.  They will consistently come out juicy, tender, fall-off-the-bone delicious.  Give yourself plenty of time.  They cook three hours in the oven ( with no attention) and then about 15 minutes on the grill. Print Recipe Jeff’s Barbecue Baby Back Ribs Prep Time 30 minutes…

Jeff’s Pork Fried Rice

This is an easy pork fried rice recipe  for weeknight meals. Feel free to use chicken, beef, or seafood in place of pork, or don’t add any meat and it is an  easy vegetarian meal. I use this when we have leftover pork, rice, or raw veggies. Cauliflower, snap peas, edamame, or any other raw…

July’s Cooking Class

Oh boy did we have fun this month!  We made manicotti, ( the recipe is posted on the recipe’s part of the blog) it was delicious.  You can see the gals busy stuffing the shells in the picture. (the sad thing is that Audrey was the one with the camera so we didn’t get her…

Homemade Salsa

Nothing like putting those fresh- from- your- garden tomatoes to work in something other than salads and BLT’s .  Top your Mexican fare  with   homemade salsa and hold on to your sombrero! Print Recipe Homemade Salsa Prep Time 15 minutes Servings Ingredients 3 large, ripe, tomatoes1 small onion finely chopped1 small green pepper seeds removed, and minced1…

Pico de Gallo

For those of us that are lucky enough to grow fresh tomatoes, there comes a time when you have to start thinking of ways to use them other than salads and BLT’s,  so  we start making things we normally  just pick up at the deli. Here’s a good recipe for that great accompaniment for your…

Jock’s Chili’s Rellenos

Jock was looking for a relleno dish that he could make in individual servings.  After much research and extensive experimentation he has perfected this method that he is now sharing with you.  These not only look fantastic they taste as good as they look.  His method doesn’t in anyway compromise the taste you are looking…

Jeff’s Great 4th of July Pig Roast

Just another McGowan celebration for the record books!!!  You have to know by now that we love a party,  exceptional food,  great settings, tremendous friends and family,  mix well and you have a party,  add a roast pig and now you have a PARTEEEE!!!!  I was privileged to ride along and document the event.  What fun!  Following…

June’s Cooking Class

As usual, a great time was had by all!  We started with a lesson on poached eggs.  We even amazed ourselves as to how easy it is to cook a perfect poached egg.   The main event of the evening was pot stickers.   You can see us working very hard a getting those pleats just right. …