There are no shortcuts to ropa vieja, a Spanish-inspired dish from Cuba that translates literally to “old clothes”. I’ve tried modifying it for the crock pot, but this is a meal that takes 4 hours to make, plain and simple. But boy is it worth it.
Our friends Tracy and Derek were coming by for the [...]
When I discovered Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread and Wine, a wonderful cheese shop / sandwich shop near where I was working recently in Chicago’s Loop, I was ecstatic! I’d been searching for a great source for my favorite serrano ham and manchego cheese for awhile to make a really special treat. We enjoyed it today [...]
All my cakes come from boxes. My spaghetti sauce isn't from scratch, and I think making my own pasta and bread (unless it comes from a mix…) is rarely worth the effort. I believe individually frozen chicken breasts and ready-made pie crusts are among the best inventions ever. Through these menus, recipes, tips and recommendations, I hope to show that the options for creative cooking are limitless, even when time and money are not.