Behind the Bites

Feast Your Eyes


  • Sweet Onion and Red Pepper Soup

    My original French onion soup Three years ago I made a french onion soup for the print column and decided it was time to revisit the classic and try and improve on my original take. I went with red onions as an experiment and threw in a jar of diced roasted red pepper for extra…

  • Mini English Muffin Pizzas

    Printable version When it comes to a party, pizza is king. Whether it be a work party, school party, frat party or church party – pizza will always satisfy the crowd. Super Bowl Sunday is not only a big day for football parties but more than likely the biggest day of the year for pizza…

  • Wonton Poppers

    Printable version This is my favorite Super Bowl creation for 2014 – jalapeño wonton poppers. Which combines … you guessed it … Jalapeno poppers and wontons! Wonton wrappers are paper-thin sheets made from flour, water, eggs and salt and are sold pre-packaged at most super markets. They can be filled with any number of ingredients…

  • Deluxe Pigs in a Blanket

    Deluxe Pigs in a Blanket Now that Thanksgiving, Christmas and the New Year holiday are past it’s time to prepare for the biggest party of them all – Super Bowl Sunday. My all-time favorite things to cook are football party snacks – wings, sliders, nachos, pizza – the list goes on. To me, Super Bowl…

  • Chocolate Stout Pot Roast

    Printable version When I set out to make this roast I wanted to find a dark and thick beer to be part of the braising liquid I was going to cook it in. I was looking for Guinness when I stumbled across a double chocolate stout made by Young’s. I snatched up a can and…

  • Italian Grinder Fail

    Originally I had planned to make a giant toasted sub, cut it into about 15 slices and present it as a Super Bowl Italian Grinder. I layered the meat and cheese, toasted it, threw on the fresh LTO and smothered it in Kraft’s Green Goddess sauce. Once I closed it shut and sliced it I…

  • Beef Stew

    Printable version I have made beef stew several times in the past and this recipe is the first time I have used a cornstarch slurry to thicken it rather than a flour based mixture. The biggest difference is the color. Same great flavor, but the cornstarch turns the liquid a nice rich brown color rather…

  • Corned Beef and Cabbage Soup

    Printable version In my family it was a tradition to eat cabbage on New Year’s Day. I remember it being overcooked and mushy. They would sauté two shredded heads of cabbage in oil in a skillet. I think the problem was that my elders cooked it to long because I dreaded having to eat the…