Antipasto Kale Salad with Blackberries & Burrata

Antipasto Kale Salad

I’m going to go out on a limb and assume I am offending many Italians with today’s Antipasto Kale Salad. A dear friend of mine who works with a group of born and raised Italians was once ridiculed for adding chicken to her fettuccine. So, I’m sure my oxymoron of a dinner idea is going to raise a few disapproving eyebrows. I mean no disrespect. I know that antipasto roughly translates to “before food” and is in no way intended to be a main. Nor is a salad, kale or otherwise, ever considered an entree at any Italian’s table. So, I’m not making many friends here with this salad but if you have no strong feelings about Italian food other than “Holy geez! Do I love Italian food!” you and this salad will get along fine.

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Smoked Jarlsberg Cuban Burger with Sweet Plantain

My sincerest apologies to the vegetarians reading this. As I’m sure you can tell, this week’s Smoked Jarlsberg Cuban Burger with Sweet Plantain is not for you. Honestly, there are probably a few omnivores who are a little taken aback. But I assure you, this burger is extra for a good reason. I created this burger in the spirit of Jarlsberg’s Burger Recipe Contest. And although my interpretation of the theme features two different kinds of animal protein, that doesn’t mean yours has to. All that is required is that you create a dream burger that integrates Jarlsberg in a surprising and delicious way. Veggie burgers are more than welcome.

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Tonkatsu Sandos with Shaved Cabbage

Tonkatsu Sando with Shaved Cabbage

The first thing I ask a person upon meeting them is what’s your favorite meal and what’s your favorite pie. I’m not proud of this. I’m not proud of this because, for me, this would be an impossible line of questioning. It’d be right up there with what’s your favorite movie or your favorite song. How the hell could anyone narrow cinema and music down to a pat response? But still, I ask. Not because I wish to be annoying but because I like to make people happy. If I ever ask you either of these questions, it means I’m a fan. I asked Bae both of these questions shortly after meeting him and he answered without hesitation – tonkatsu. Ever since then, I’ve been finding ways to sneak the treat onto our dinner table whenever I can. Today’s Tonkatsu Sandos is just my most recent effort.

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Pork Stroganoff Pot Pie with Mustard Dill Pastry

Pork Stroganoff Pot Pie with Mustard Dill Pastry

Things are finally starting to melt here and the spring rain has begun to fall. It’s damp and grey but I am in no way complaining. Just a week ago, our corner of the world was awash with extreme cold weather warnings and black ice galore. I will gladly take a damp chill over an icy blast any day of the week. But although the weather is slowly improving, that doesn’t mean it’s time to ditch the comfort food and bust out the BBQ tongs. If only it were that simple. So, with the rainy season in mind, I bring you this Pork Stroganoff Pot Pie with Mustard Dill Pastry. It’s warm and comforting, sure, but the dill and lemon really brighten things up. Essentially it’s the promise of spring, encased in pastry…or some sort of poetic shit like that.

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