The Cook’s Kitchen

I’m a technique man.  Always have been, always will be.  Once or twice a week I use a simple technique in the kitchen that is about the oldest around. It involves water, salt and time.  Maybe you remember a little thing called osmosis from science class. In a nutshell osmosis is the movement of water molecules from an area of […]

I’m not much of a world traveler in the physical sense, so an easy way for me to connect with other cultures and far off countries is through their regional foods.  It’s really the techniques and seasonings that I love to learn about.  But it’s tasting that ties everything together.  My latest journey to re-discovery […]

Here is the second in a series of Eyeball Benders, a photographic quiz of sorts. Volume I was published in January.  Below are 14 pictures of common items, things or products. Most are found in the kitchen or are at least related to cooking.  All of the photographs have been cropped to some degree to disguise their identity. […]

Growing up in south Texas in the 60’s and 70’s gives one plenty of exposure to a variety of regional food.  Seafood like crab, shrimp and redfish from the home-waters of the Gulf of Mexico, Tex-Mex versions of enchiladas, tamales, fajitas and of course barbecue that consisted mostly of brisket, chicken and sausages was at my fingertips.  It would […]

My favorite things always seem to change. For the longest time when talking about beef, my favorite cut was a bone-in prime rib roast. In the last year or two prime rib has  moved into the number two spot.  Tri-tip has edged into number one.  A tri-tip roast is one of the most overlooked cuts of […]

Where the buffalo roam…
I do live in such a place, Wyoming.  Buffalo Bill Cody made his home here too.  There is a buffalo on our state flag.  Looking at a map you will find Buffalo Creek, Buffalo River, Buffalo Basin and a town named Buffalo.   In Yellowstone National Park and several state parks herds of buffalo are everywhere, even using the roadways when they […]

Near the checkout at my favorite sporting goods store is a display rack of beef jerky. Several different flavors and all made from strips of meat, not the ribbons of ground meat. I see it every time I’m there but since I make my own jerky I just never paid attention to the price until […]

The history and traditions surrounding some the regional foods we eat tell a wonderful tale. If you have not yet discovered Minnesota wild rice, let me tell you a short story.  First off, you may be surprised to learn that wild rice is not rice at all.  It’s actually a cereal grain.  Even though it […]

Jack Kerouac felt that pie was the perfect road food and I for one would tend to agree with him. Here is a favorite quote from “On the Road”
“I went to sit in the bus station and think this over. I ate another apple pie and ice cream; that’s practically all I ate all the […]

I thought it might be fun to have a photographic quiz of sorts. Below are 14 pictures of common items or products. Most are found in the kitchen but not all of them are. All of the photographs have been cropped to some degree to disguise their identity. Some should be very easy to recognize. […]