10chickenstomaine

Kitchen Essentials, Part I

We’ve had some inquiries about the gear we use, and a few questions about setting up a kitchen for the first time with the bare necessities, so we figured a quick post was probably in order. Over the years, I’ve gone through all kinds of phases and philosophies of culinary acquisition. In my early youth,Continue reading “Kitchen Essentials, Part I”

Injection Renaissance

#RecipeUpTop (details below): 1 unassuming chicken; 300 grams cider vinegar; 200 grams water; 100 grams sugar; 50 grams salt; 5 grams onion powder; 5 grams garlic powder; Method: Combine the injection ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to a boil, then cool. Spatchcock your chicken, and start your grill, aiming for a “ring ofContinue reading “Injection Renaissance”

Maine Lobster Ramen

I love Maine lobster. Like, with every part of me that is able to love. Everywhere I have lived, I’ve been an evangelist for the bugs. When I was a season ticket holder with the Miami Hurricanes, we’d do a big tailgate boil at least once a year where I’d foist hunks of lemon-buttered tailContinue reading “Maine Lobster Ramen”

Fresh-Herb Chicken Meatballs

#RecipeUpTop (details below): 700 grams (1.5lbs, roughly) ground dark-meat chicken, with skin (preferably home-ground); 70 grams plain, unseasoned bread crumbs; 35 grams grated parmasan cheese; 7 grams salt; 7 grams freshly chopped parsley; 1 large egg; 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil; Combine the ingredients in a large mixing bowl and set aside (refrigerate) forContinue reading “Fresh-Herb Chicken Meatballs”

Simple Hashed Brown Potatoes

No #RecipeUpTop on this one because, like some of our previous posts, this one is super basic, but almost entirely reliant on technique and a few tricks to get you where you’re going. To prove my point, here’s the ingredient list: two (2) potatoes, 2 tablespoons veg oil, salt. That’s it. And it takes likeContinue reading “Simple Hashed Brown Potatoes”

Classic Pesto

#RecipeUpTop (details below): 2 hand-fulls of fresh basil (home grown preferable); 1 hand-full of fresh flat-leaf parsley (home grown preferable); 3 large garlic cloves; 1/4 cup pine nuts; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 2/3 cup olive oil; Salt (to taste); Black pepper (to taste); Method: Combine the herbs, garlic, pine nuts, and half of theContinue reading “Classic Pesto”

Back to the Woodpile

When things feel awful and out of control, I typically default to some combination of exercise and organization an attempt to remind myself that I do, in fact, have the ability to effect change and progress, if even symbolically. In my days as a trial attorney, this typically meant something as simple as cleaning myContinue reading “Back to the Woodpile”

Fennel-Brined Chicken with Lemon and Black Pepper Glaze

#RecipeUpTop: 4 Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (home butchered preferred); For the brine: 50 to 100 grams salt 50 to 100 grams sugar Fennel seed (to taste) Coriander seed (to taste) For the glaze: 1 lemon (juice and zest) 1/4 cup white vinegar 1/4 cup water 2 TBS sugar Fresh cracked black pepper (to taste) SaltContinue reading “Fennel-Brined Chicken with Lemon and Black Pepper Glaze”

A Sauce of One’s Own

If there’s one grocery store item I deeply despise, it’s pre-canned tomato sauce. Actually, there are a lot of grocery store items I despise, but they almost always follow the same pattern: simple, basic things that have been over-processed, over-priced, and sold as completely impossible or impractical to make at home. And, frankly, the worstContinue reading “A Sauce of One’s Own”

Dad’s Special Potato Salad

#RecipeUpTop (Details below): Six large Maine potatoes (or a dozen small red); Four rashers of bacon; 1/4 large red onion; 1/2 cup cider vinegar; 1/2 cup sour cream; 1/4 cup deli-style mustard; 1/4 cup mayo; Salt (to taste) Parsley flakes (to taste); Mustard seeds (to taste); Method: Cut the potatoes into bite-sized pieces, toss withContinue reading “Dad’s Special Potato Salad”