Pasta Demo at the old stomping grounds

AM pasta demos should get anyone out of bed. Right?! A few weeks ago I visited my old stomping grounds where instead of Chef calling out “demo!” I guess it was me?! My culinary education began at BOCES / career technical institute when I was a junior in Highschool. I left my friends each day to explore my culinary endeavors with an instructor that prepared me for the CIA. Years later I’m still thinking about where my knife stills came from, how I learned to properly salt water, make carbonara, and work the German festival at Germania hall each October.

I met people from different places with various aspirations. A place I knew I would always be able to stay connected to for the people that pushed me to be the best I could. Being able to visit and demo for students years later was kinda of magical. I’m always grateful for these creative moments.

Fennel Fronds for your SALAD

I love picking from my parents garden. Maybe I should learn to grow my own things. Also, overgrown fennel fronds will always make it into my salads. Salad for lunch? Get me a sandwich please! Anything but salad. So because I dislike them it takes a good one to get me excited.

Creamy dressed salads with crunchy lettuce or peppery greens with oil and citrus juice. Whatever it is you gotta make it good. So, here are some of my personal salad thoughts:

  • fresh herbs like Thai basil or parsley torn or chopped into salad elevates the often basic watered flavor of salad greens.

  • Fresh croutons or pieces of torn crusty bread . Bakery boules, artistsn bread, even baguette will do.

  • Thin slices of cured meat such as prosciutto , salami, capicola.

  • Keep the dressing simple: olive oil, lemon juice, salt and cracked pepper.

Tomato Love Salad

The unofficial official start to summer! And to me that means peak tomato season is approaching but not fast enough. Tomatoes in their prime are like sweet berries that burst in your mouth with juice running down your chin. Pile them in your shirt-basket and try to get inside before eating them all. A little dirt doesn’t bother me!

My preferred tomato salad formula:
- Heirloom tomato, yellow & red grapes, cherry tomatoes, and cocktail tomatoes.
- white balsamic vinegar
- a nice quality extra Virgin olive oil
- cracked black pepper & kosher salt or Himalayan salt
- honey / optional

PowerHouse Productions Nominated for a James Beard Award!

Grateful and honored is an understatement!

REPOST FROM @powerhouseproductionstv
This week Powerhouse Productions made history! We were nominated for a James Beard Award! (That’s a really big deal!). Along with our partners the Marcus Samulesson Group and @karlitz_cowe made history and produced a show for ABC 7 NY called “EatUp New York” hosted by @marcuscooks and @bevysmith .

The show features Black and Brown businesses that we all need to support in Harlem, Brooklyn, and Newark, NJ! We want to thank everyone who trusted us to tell their stories, show off their food, and celebrate their contributions to the culinary landscape! @makemycakenyc @67orange@lolosseafoodshack @iammusajackson@melbasharlem @harlemhops @chefjj@raymonds_reign @thecrabbyshack@marcusbpnewark @theyardnewark@blueberryvegancafe @thezucchinibar@newarkworkingkitchens @roosterharlem@harlemgrown @settepaninyc@sugarhillicecreamery

A super special shout out to all the Producers, our writer, our Culinary Producer, the amazing DP’s, Cameramen, Audio Engineers, the Lighting team, and every single person who helped make this project jump off the screen! Our dynamic hosts showed up and showed out! They trusted our vision, we all collaborated, and our editors really gave us the most authentic piece of excellence!

Thanks to the dynamic team and fearless Executive Producers! Marcus Samuelsson, Rochelle Brown, Sonia Armstead, Herb Karlitz, & Derek Evans.

Big Hugs and Big Thank You to: @abankhead and @jane.ec we really appreciate your hard work and dedication!

Super duper big shout out to the best production team in the Biz:

Supervising Producer: Kenneth Colbert
Producers: Angela Bankhead, Jovanca Maitland, Dominick Ciardiello, Jensen Taylor
Culinary Producer: Francesca Zani
Coordinating Producer: Sheila Wilson
Associate Producers: Carole Coleman & Corey Chaney
Writer: Dana Slusarenko
Directors of Photography: Matt Knapp, Jason Mason, Robert O'Reilly
Camera Operator: Matt Brown
Post Supervison: Jack
Editor: Kwadwo Opoku
Audio Engineers: Eric Diebner and Jermaine Herbert
Motion Graphics: Rich Zimmer, Kevin Bulger,
Production Assistant: Jaylah Holmes and Schubert Charleston

Holiday Gift Guides are a mood

that belongs in your kitchen

Mommy's Chicken Soup is Everything I Need During Winter

For years I’ve heard people talk about “my mother, my grandmother, my aunt, my father, my grandfather, ect. makes the best this, that, and the other thing.” There is always a favorite meal or food memory from everyone. Even those who grow up eating tv dinners and take out have their favorite stories to share. My mama makes many delicious meals, but I especially love her chicken soup with potatoes, baby shells, and chicken meatballs. I will offer up my version of the recipe, but I’m honest... I don’t even know how she makes the meatballs! It’s her secret power and I’ve already convinced myself that I won’t be able to make it any better. They are parmesan cheesy, soft, and just the right amount of breadcrumb to egg to chicken ratio. She also loves her parsley! I’ve already given away too much.

Just a few desserts that Bring some Love

Over Thanksgiving I poured myself into developing some new recipes for the blog. This can be quite frustrating when your vision doesn’t exactly come to life and you have to re-do or scratch it. I was pretty thrilled with the way these babies turned out. I hope these inspire you to bake yourself a weeknight treat or bring your gal or guy friends a holiday sweet.

Apples are hands down my favorite way to dessert. Apple crisp, pie, cake, tart, sauce EVERYTHING. It’s warm, its comfort (think apple crisp a la mode with ice cream… oh goodness! here she goes), it’s holidayesc. I don’t know I just love them. SO! I had to make apple tart tatin, but my way. Fresh cranberries were the next best decision to a double puff pastry crust. Yes, double! And, I highly recommend eating this once it’s cooled down but still warm.

On the contrary I could give or take a banana in anything. My banana standards couldn’t compete with my apples. However, covered in dense chocolate ganache- like pudding, whipped cream, and wisps of toffee I suppose we can rethink the banana. Try this girl and you might just fall off the couch (because I expect you to be curled up under a blanket while eating this).