Category Archives: Recipes

Thanksgiving nachos. For realz.

Posted on November 20, 2012 by

So, this happened: http://pgplate.com/how-to/99-bucking-tradition-with-thanksgiving-nachos It’s that time of year, y’all. Anything is possible. Even Thanksgiving nachos with smoked turkey, gravy, Monterey Jack and a cranberry-roasted tomatillo salsa. A recipe for the salsa: This is what I did. There are obviously … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, holiday, Ingredients, Nontraditional, Recipes, Seasonal | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Oven ribs with chocolate rosemary sauce.

Posted on February 19, 2012 by

Unexpected inspiration is often a good thing. A chocolate party is a perfect example. My friends Gwen and Derrick have a chocolate party every year at their place on the South Side. Chocolate beer, chocolate chili, chocolate cookies, chocolate ice … Continue reading →

Posted in Ambience, Beer, Ingredients, Neighborhoods, Nontraditional, Presentation, Recipes, South Side, Strip District, Techniques and tools | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Golden Pig.

Posted on September 18, 2011 by

Yes, Korean food. In li’l ol’ Cecil on Route 50. The whole restaurant has just 10 seats and is subtle enough to drive by twice before pulling in. Even shares a building with a used-car dealership. Like you do. This … Continue reading →

Posted in Ambience, Cheap eats, Family, Ingredients, Presentation, Recipes, Service, Traditional | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Homebrew.

Posted on August 11, 2011 by

If you see one of these bad boys, pick it up. Read it. Check out the advertisers. Sure, I have a piece in it on the TRASH homebrew competition and what goes into entering these things and the long slog … Continue reading →

Posted in Ambience, Beer, Ingredients, Presentation, Recipes, Service, Techniques and tools | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Berries in white-wine syrup with mint and jalapeño.

Posted on June 6, 2011 by

One of the most versatile things I tend to make in the summer goes as well with cheesecake or ice cream as it does with grilled or roasted meat like lamb or chicken or turkey. The warm syrup macerates the … Continue reading →

Posted in Cheap eats, Ingredients, Lawrenceville, Nontraditional, Recipes, Seasonal, Techniques and tools | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Wilson’s.

Posted on June 2, 2011 by

Publishing can be a strange beast. I wrote a piece on the North Side barbecue joint Wilson’s in January for a magazine in Arkansas. It finally hit print — yesterday. (Flip to page 17 and zoom in if you’re so … Continue reading →

Posted in Ambience, Cheap eats, Family, Ingredients, Neighborhoods, North Side, Recipes, Techniques and tools, Traditional | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Roasted-corn and tomato summer salad.

Posted on May 31, 2011 by

I forget what the inspiration was the first time I made this. I know I took it to someone’s house for a summer party, but the rest is lost to me. The last few years, it’s become a summer staple … Continue reading →

Posted in Cheap eats, Family, Ingredients, Presentation, Recipes, Seasonal, Techniques and tools | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Generosity.

Posted on January 31, 2011 by

Food is for sharing. One of the hardest things about moving to Pittsburgh in stages has been my inability to entertain. Cooking for myself is fine — I do like food — but it’s so much more gratifying to do … Continue reading →

Posted in Ambience, Ingredients, Meta, Recipes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Make your own stock.

Posted on January 21, 2011 by

I beg you. Chicken, pork, beef, shrimp, clam, mushroom — whatever. It makes everything better. Funny thing: I couldn’t tell you why I did it the first time. I think I was just curious. Now it’s one of those things … Continue reading →

Posted in Ambience, Cheap eats, Ingredients, Neighborhoods, North Side, Recipes, Techniques and tools | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Crested Duck Charcuterie.

Posted on December 6, 2010 by

Usually I wouldn’t advise you to seek out specialty meats from a software engineer. With Adam Costa, it’s a little different. He’s one of the two brothers behind Crested Duck Charcuterie at the Pittsburgh Public Market. The other brother, Kevin, … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Ingredients, Neighborhoods, Recipes, Seasonal, Strip District | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Yo.

Posted on October 21, 2010 by

Food is home to me. My mother’s Christmas cookies, a favorite little Italian restaurant, my father-in-law’s deer jerky, ridiculous sushi, a massive pot of duck stock simmering for half a day in the kitchen — that’s how I get a … Continue reading →

Posted in Meta, Recipes, Seasonal | 2 Comments