Featured Recipe: Buffalo Steak au Poivre

Shake up your weeknight dinner routine with Ariane’s recipe for Buffalo Steak au Poivre. This quick and easy recipe is a fun twist on the classic French bistro staple that is sure to become a family favorite. Add some crispy duck fat french fries and a bottle of your favorite red wine for a fabulous…

Planning a Backyard Garden Party

To some, the term “garden party” conjures images of a haughty affair – one where well-heeled, seersucker-clad guests meander through a topiary labyrinth or a gaggle of biddies nibble crustless sandwiches under a canopy of tea roses. Too stiff? Too stuffy? Not for you? Don’t give up on a garden party! It doesn’t have to…

Now is the time for a backyard Garden Party

To some, the term “garden party” conjures images of a haughty affair – one where well-heeled, seersucker-clad guests meander through a topiary labyrinth or a gaggle of biddies nibble crustless sandwiches under a canopy of tea roses. Too stiff? Too stuffy? Not for you? Don’t give up on a garden party! It doesn’t have to…

All About Squab

Squab are young pigeons that have never flown. For thousands of years, they have been a favorite meal for every stratum of society throughout the world. They were unequivocally the first domesticated poultry, even preempting chicken. This may surprise twenty-first century Americans. More often we think of pigeons as annoying denizens of city monuments and buildings….

All About Muscovy Duck

The Muscovy duck (Cairina moschata) originated in the warm region of South America, and although a tropical bird, can adapt to cold weather conditions down to 10°F without ill effects. This recommended it to domestication in North America, and also made possible flocks of feral ducks in parks. Muscovy ducks are brown-black in color, with some pale…

Duckathlon VII: A photo recap

Last Sunday we hosted the 7th annual Duckathlon – our famous event that pits chefs against chefs in a battle for gastronomical gravitas. Once again, we had a fantastic turnout of teams, sponsors and judges. Check out a few of our photos below… and stay tuned – the video is coming soon! Duckathlon VII Best…

All About the Berkshire Pig

The Berkshire is one of the oldest identifiable breeds of pig, which dates back some 300 years to the shire of Berks in England. Legend has it that Oliver Cromwell’s army discovered the breed while in winter quarters, and a welcome find that must have been! This black-coated hog with white areas on the face,…

Let your FOIE FLAG fly!

The California ban on foie gras will be in place this July. Food lovers all over the country need to pay attention, because it’s the first state-wide ban on foie gras in our country. It sets a dangerous precedent, and it’s a wedge that animal rights activists will use in their campaign against these artisanal products and meat in general. Sure, it’s foie…

All About Ostrich

Ostrich is making a comeback. “When was it in?” you may ask. If you are racking your brain to recall he last time the large flightless bird had any culinary cachet, you’d have to look back to ancient Rome. That was when the noted gastronome Apicius created a special sauce for boiled ostrich, an expensive…

Wines for your Easter Feast

As the sommelier for per se, in New York City, Anani Lawson is responsible for selecting wines for some of the world’s most discriminating palates. He also runs the wine education program for the restaurant’s world class staff. And before per se, Anani worked at The French Laundry for nine years! For someone with such…

On the menu: Easter mains & sides!

So yesterday, we gave you some ideas and recipes for Easter appetizers. (Mmmmm… black truffle gougeres!) Today, we’re all about classic main dishes and comforting, family-friendly sides. We broke our suggestions down into two menus that can also be mixed and matched, if you desire. Our first menu features Lamb as the centerpiece. Our boneless…