Gourmet Live Blog
Author Archives: Leslie Yeh
Image of the Day: Five-Spice Beef Stir-Fry
The History of … St. Patrick’s Day & Corned Beef
As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, many images come to mind: leprechauns, rainbows, four-leaf clovers, and on the dinner table, a heaping platter of corned beef and cabbage. But how authentic really is this “Irish dish”? Take a look back in history to discover why you won’t find corned beef on the menu this St. Patrick’s Day – at least not in Ireland.
Corned beef—or salt-cured beef—popularly paired with cooked cabbage, has become a familiar centerpiece of St. Patty’s Day feasts in the U.S. But this dish is more Irish-American than Irish. In fact, back in the 17th century when the celebration of patron Saint Patrick of Ireland first became an official holiday, pork and bacon were the only affordable meats among most Irish, and beef was considered a rare delicacy.
Continue readingWeekly Roundup: Pizza Party
- Green Cilantro gives traditional pizza toppings a fresh take with Zucchini and Sausage Pizza. Fresh figs balance out the sausage for a sweet and savory bite on a bed of sliced zucchini (pictured above).
- Food52 baked up Leek, Bacon and Goat Cheese Pizza featuring a tempting trio. The charred pizza crust pairs perfectly with browned bacon and fresh goat cheese.
- Slices of hot dog replace sausage in this Filipino-style Pan de Sal Pizza from Jun-Blog. The pizza sauce is sweetened with banana ketchup for a tangy twist.
- Golden pineapples top soft, homemade pizza dough in BBQ Chicken Pineapple Pizza from Naturally Ella.
- This simple yet satisfying Caramelized Onion and Arugula White Pizza from Aggies Kitchen is bursting with fresh flavor from the arugula and the sweetness of caramelized onions.
- Burritos get a makeover in Black Bean Pizza from Coach Lana’s Blog, which incorporates all the classic Mexican flavors of corn, black bean, sharp cheddar and spicy chili powder.
Image of the Day: Fudge Mint Brownies
Weekly Roundup: Fresh and Flavorful Springtime Meals
- Smørrebrød: Salmon, Radish and Apple Open-Faced Sandwich from The Year in Food celebrates the traditional Danish open sandwich by topping rye bread with colorful layers of smoked salmon, radishes and green apple (pictured above).
- Quinoa Puttanesca from I’ll Have What She’s Having is a bright and colorful bowl, featuring vibrant red peppers and vitamin-packed quinoa.
- Both hearty and satisfying, Mushroom Stroganoff from Chez Us serves up a woodsy mix of mushrooms garnished with freshly crushed thyme — the perfect transition from winter to spring.
- Green Pea Alfredo Socca Pizza from Sketch-free Vegan Eating is a delicious and guilt-free addition to any garden spread. The socca crust is made with chickpea flour for a quick and easy alternative to regular pizza dough, while the green peppers and peas add a pop of color.
- With the nights still carrying a chill, nothing beats a giant, steaming bowl of soup. Easy Tomato Florentine from Good Life Eats is a comforting one-pot-stop with a rich flavor and plethora of vegetables.
- Citrus Pannacotta from Fork Spoon Knife combines the bright acidity of orange and grapefruit with a touch of lemongrass for a creamy and light dessert.
- The cool mint flavor in Brownies with Mint Chips from Delicious Inspiration is a refreshing addition to the classic dessert — just in time for spring.
Weekly Roundup: Recipes for Hollywood Gold
- Irresistible Biscuit Beignets with Praline Sauce from Kevin & Amanda are fried until golden crisp and dusted with powdered sugar. The secret is in the rich, silky praline sauce which oozes beautifully into the crispy folds of the beignet (pictured above).
- Your guests will love Limoncello & Meyer Lemon Cupcakes from 52 Kitchen Adventures, which are filled with a tart lemon curd and covered in layers of cream cheese frosting. Top each cupcake with half an orange slice for an elegant effect and a kick of citrus flavor.
- Bring out the blowtorch to create Crème Brûlée from The Fresh Fridge. The same caramelized effect can be conjured up under the broiler for a slightly burnt top which cracks into a soft custard filling.
- White chunks of feta are contrasted with the bright orange hue of sweet potatoes in this Sweet Potato Tart with Rosemary and Feta from Seandi Foodie. It’s a celebrity-worthy sweet and a savory dish guaranteed to be an instant hit.
- Homemade Pretzel Bites from Dine & Dish are simple to make, and bake to a beautiful golden brown. The dough can be folded into a pretzel or shaped into bite-size rounds.
- Whole Lemon Bars from david lebovitz are a sweet, indulgent treat that can be baked ahead of time. Your guests will love the crumbly golden brown crust and the tart filling made with fresh lemon juice.
Weekly Roundup: Mardi Gras Meals
- Seasoned with a Cajun blend, these Andouille Sausage Burgers from Life for Dessert are topped with caramelized onions and spicy mayo for the ultimate Mardi Gras burger.
- Dirty Rice with Chicken from CoffeeCrew Blog is a flavorful mash-up of chicken, hot peppers and creole seasonings.
- The Nibble cooked up Cajun Jambalaya Recipe With Grilled Chicken & Smoked Sausage, dressing up hearty chunks of meat in a spicy Cajun rub.
- A dessert originating in New Orleans in 1951, Bananas Foster was the inspiration for this rich and moist Bananas Foster Bread baked by Fervent Foodie.
- If you’re a meat lover, try Pork & Black Bean Chili from no reEATS — it’s an extra-indulgent bowl of pulled pork with just a hint of whiskey.
- In Blackened Chicken Salad with Creole Vinaigrette from Cajun Delights, a fresh vinaigrette cools off the spicy heat from the chicken for a delicious all-in-one meal.
- Smoky paprika and peppers lend a sweet addition to lumps of crawfish in Soup-A-Palooza-Crawfish Gumbo, a classic Cajun dish from Baking For The Boys.
- What Mardi Gras party would be complete without a kick of bourbon? Try this Maple Bacon Bourbon Ice Cream from Cherry Tea Cakes — a wild combination of both savory and sweet.
Weekly Roundup: Valentine’s Day Aphrodisiacs
- Nothing is more romantic than breakfast in bed: Sip on Strawberry Sweethearts Cocoa from Two Peas and Their Pod for a sweet, chocolate-laden start to your day (pictured above).
- Self-Frosting Nutella Banana Cupcakes from 80 Breakfasts are a double shot of creamy chocolate and bananas.
- Pham Fatale prepared Fresh Oysters Topped with Chorizo Dressing, featuring the world’s original aphrodisiac beneath a zesty topping.
- Try Fig and Prosciutto Salad from Seandi Foodie for an elegant starter to any Valentine’s Day spread. Cut open, figs emit a vibrant and luscious nature.
- Carrots’ antioxidants and minerals in Fuss Free Cooking’s Spicy Carrot Coconut Curry are proven to increase feelings of desire and attraction.
- Celery, Fennel, and Black Olive Salad with Parmigiano Dressing from The Bitten Word incorporates a handful of chopped olives for a stimulating addition.
- These Champagne Kissed Whoopie Hearts with Fresh Strawberry Filling from The Cooking Photographer are laced with love and strawberry-flavored bubbly.
- Use your favorite bottle to make Red Wine Poached Pears with Rice Pudding from The Culinary Chase, a passionate dessert that will undoubtedly put you in the mood for romance.
