Behind the Bites

Feast Your Eyes


  • Sweet Potato Chips

    Little is known about the menu at the first Thanksgiving dinner with the pilgrims and Native Americans at Plymouth, but more than likely sweet potatoes weren’t on it. Their introduction as a Thanksgiving staple occurred during the 20th century and is the result of the spread of Southern cooking throughout…

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  • Chipotle Ranch Sauce

    Printable version Back in May I was eating at my favorite taco joint in Fort Wayne called Salsa Grille and the manager was walking around, visiting with customers. When he approached me, I asked him about some of the sauces they served. He told me where I could find the…

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  • Southwest Grilled Cheese

    Printable version I made this sandwich to go with my spicy chipotle tomato soup. It needed balance and a grilled cheese is perfect for that. The soup included poblano pepper in the mirepoix and I thought it would be nice to tie the sandwich to the soup by including poblano…

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  • Spicy Chipotle Tomato Soup

    Printable version Tomato soup was always my favorite canned variety growing up. I loved to let it cool a little, then crumble a few saltine crackers into the bowl, stir it up, then gulp it down like a pledge at a fraternity party. Today, I can’t really say tomato is…

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  • Pork and Beans

    Printable version This recipe started with an impulse-buy. I was looking in the meat case at the local super market when I noticed smoked pork shank on sale. Which is basically the back thigh of a pig just underneath its butt, or the more delectably named ham. I had never…

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  • Asian Meatball Subs

    I’m doing something different with this post. In the past, I wouldn’t have posted this recipe. I served it to a group of friends last Sunday and it was a tasty treat that got a lot of compliments. It was an experiment though, with great potential to be a blockbuster…

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  • Breakfast Meat Lovers Pizza

    Printable version The aroma of breakfast cooking was my Saturday morning alarm clock growing up, and to this day I love a big morning feast to start a long road trip or a busy Saturday. Most days I eat little or no breakfast at all, which is why I really…

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  • Tacos For 125: Meal Overview

    I was completely excited about making the food for this party as soon as I was asked to do it and was told “do whatever you think will work for 100 to 150 people.” Tacos, Mexican fiesta, sauces, nachos, chili – That was my first thought and the party hosts…

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