Concentrated veal stock is a wonderful, wonderful thing. Any veal stock is good and you should use it in your cooking but concentrated veal stock is magic.

concentrated veal stock

Concentrated veal stock is a wonderful, wonderful thing. Any veal stock is good. Use it in your cooking. But concentrated veal stock – that’s magic. Concentrating it makes it easier to store in the freezer. That way, it’s just there and ready when you need it. And you will need it with beef and with lamb. It’s not full blown demi-glace but it adds that unbelievable richness to sauces.

Roasted pork with tomatillo sauce. Pork, tomatillos and green chilies is one of those combinations that just work beautifully.

roasted pork with tomatillo sauce

If you have the tomatillo salsa on hand, roasted pork with tomatillo sauce is a quick and easy meal. The salsa darkens as it cooks in the rendered pork fat. The sauce picks up the flavours of the meat to really come together nicely. I used pork tenderloin because I was jammed for time but you could do it with a small pork loin as well. Just up the amount of tomatillo salsa you use to line up with the amount of meat you are preparing.

Pork piccata is a nice alternative to the ubiquitous chicken. Tender pork tenderloin comes together with lemon, capers and a bit of butter.

pork piccata

Pork piccata is a great alternative to the more obvious chicken piccata. It’s easier to prep. It’s less likely to dry out. And it has more flavour. What is not to love here?

Why kill yourself making things nobody really wants to eat. Instead, focus on making a few elements of your holiday turkey dinner perfect.

holiday turkey dinner

Holiday turkey dinner. Are there words that strike fear in the hearts of cooks more effectively than holiday turkey dinner? Probably not. Turkeys are just not made oven friendly. Add the 17 sides that everyone expects and you have a ridiculous task in front of you. Stop. Think. Why do you need 17 sides? What is the point exactly? Have you ever been to a great restaurant that put 17 sides on the plate? It makes no sense at all. None.

Why not execute 5 things perfectly instead? Turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy and one vegetable. Who wouldn’t be happy with that? Quality over quantity. Pick your battles. Pick the ones you can win.

This tomatillo salsa or salsa verde is awesome on its own or with roasted chicken or pork.

tomatillo salsa

Tomatillo salsa. Big, fresh, vibrant flavours. It’s instant delicious and it’s easy to make at home. 

Dry brine for perfect roast turkey every time!

dry brined roast turkey

A perfectly cooked turkey is not a difficult thing. Pick a good quality bird, keep it under 14 lbs, don’t stuff it and dry brine it. Dry brined roast turkey deserves a whole lot more attention than it gets. It works. Well.