Gumbo vs. Pork

This weekend’s Super Bowl brings on yet another reason to party or entertain. Although, there may not be as much hype this year on GameDay, I feel a certain personal attachment to both cities. I have good friends in both team cities representing New Orleans and Indianapolis.

New Orleans' great city screams rich food culture with its strong Cajun, French and Spanish roots. But, on the surface you may scratch your head thinking - does Indianapolis bring to mind any signature dishes as sexy as gumbo and jambalaya? Well yes. For Indiana, think German influence in the heartland and with substantial hearty foods beyond Orville Redenbacher. (Yes, Orville started his company in Indiana, the state of corn.) Vision foods more like bratwurst, bockwurst, German wieners with sauerkraut, red cabbage and choice spicy German mustards. Maybe even the prized Indiana pork with Kassler Rippchen, a smoked pork loin dish. 

You can mix a menu with dishes from the “Crescent City” and from the “Hoosier State”. Flip a coin and pick my gumbo recipe, or BBQ pork sandwich, or both. Either way, they’re both delicious winners!

It's All Greek For Me

Gyro- pronounced jear-ro, or yeer-o, or he-ro. If you pronouce it incorrectly, all is forgiven when said with a smile.

There is something to be said for the art of walking while eating. Or is it eating while walking? Now there are many other forms to this art which aren’t so safe, for example driving while eating. Although I have witnessed first hand - women who can eat, put on make up and text at the same time. Ok, we’ll pray for them, but lets get back to talking gryo.

In the US, gyro meat can consist of a few kinds of mystery meats that are pressed and formed. But, when in Rhodes, Greece I had the most delightful sliced, crispy and juicy shavings of meat in my gyro. I had the perfect opportunity to test my walk and chew without loosing a single drop of tzatziki on my white shirt!

My Greek gyro, was made with a warm pita, roasted and sliced mixed beef & pork, tomato, onion and topped with tzatzikisauce and fried potatoes. Other toppings may be added such as chick peas, olives, etc. depending on where the gyro is made.

This was a good snack to tie me over. My fresh Calamari and Mythos Beer awaited me at Cafe George, just down the street.

Cheers - For my Tzatziki Sauce Recipe. 

images, George Hirsch

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New Year, Classic Mac-n-Cheese

Let’s get this decade started with one of America’s classic and favorite dishes for people of all ages. My spin on this one-pot-dish is so popular- when I prepared it on Live with Regis and Kelly as a side dish, the viewer response was terrific. I was deluged with email recipe requests, even from our neighbors way north in Canada! It's also easy-n-quick to make. BTW, mac-n-cheese is one of my Top 10 Lifestyle Food Trends for 2010. 

Use the recipe as a guide and feel free to add smoked ham, cooked bacon, grilled chicken or grilled shrimp to make your own home-spin.  

Tip: If your are starting a new diet resolution, feel free to cut down on the fat of this recipe. Replace all of or part of the half and half with chicken broth, and use olive oil in place of butter. Or, just make up for it by exercising a little extra this weekend.

For George's Cheddar & Jack Mac Recipe

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Crown Roasts

A rack of lamb is considered the crown of traditional cuisine elegance. It is the perfect and impressive main entree to serve on special occasions; and it's easier to prepare than it appears. If you prefer the flavor of pork, the pork crown is for you.  

Crown either of these delicious traditional recipes for your holiday table.

For Lamb Crown Roast, Pork Crown Roast and Wild Rice & Sausage Stuffing Recipes.

Holiday Honey-baked Ham

Want center platter variety this holiday? I am all for embracing traditions, but if you are feeling the desire to cook outside the traditional goose or turkey dinner, make a glazed ham. It's easy and always a favorite, besides it goes so well with my biscuits.

How exactly did that turkey become center plate over the baked ham? It was the prized gift in Dicken's A Christmas Carol, circa 1843, and stuck ever since. Well, maybe.  

Tomorrow- I will talk crown roasts with you. See you then.

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