This is it. The end of my ‘Charcutepalooza A Year of Meat’ challenges. The very last one. I must admit to being a bit sad about my timed meat adventure ending. I learned a lot this year. Not only about food, but about where it … Read More →
Category Archives: Charcutepalooza
Charcutepalooza Challenge # 11 – Salami – Epic. Charcuterie. Fail.
Charcutepalooza challenge #11 promised to be difficult. We were warned. Right there in the book, in black and white: this is not an easy sausage. This sausage is prone to fail. And, well, it wasn’t and it did. This was our first epic charcuterie fail, … Read More →
Duck Confit–Charcutepalooza Challenge #10
This month’s challenge was to make Duck Confit from Charcuterie: The Craft of Salting, Smoking, and Curing by Michael Ruhlman and Brian Polcyn. Procurement This month’s protein was somewhat hard to procure. Apparently, 5 lb. of duck legs just isn’t something Publix, Whole Foods, or … Read More →
Duck Tacos with Smoked Chipotle Sauce and Chickpeas
My debut recipe for this month’s Charcuetpalooza challenge, duck confit, was duck tacos. I couldn’t think of anything that would balance the ducky fattiness better than green apple, and what better way to get both to our mouths at once than a taco? Tacos are … Read More →
Pork Terrine–Charcutepalooza Challenge #9
This month’s challenge was to make the Pork Terrine with Pork Tenderloin Inlay from Charcuterie: The Craft of Salting, Smoking, and Curing by Michael Ruhlman and Brian Polcyn. This month, let me just say, I was uninspired. Between lengthy travel for both my Darling Husband … Read More →
Mousseline–Charcutepalooza Challenge #8
This month’s challenge was to make a mousseline. I chose a heavily modified version of the Maryland Crab, Scallop and Saffron Terrine from Charcuterie: The Craft of Salting, Smoking, and Curing by Michael Ruhlman and Brian Polcyn. While I’m sure the original version is pretty … Read More →
Ramen with Kickass Broth, Fresh Bacon and Mousseline “Scallop”
This dish was intended to be a showstopper. Picture it: Miami, 2011. A group of 40 seasoned foodies gathered on a sweltering late July Saturday in a Midtown penthouse with sweeping views for a potluck promising gastronomic delights. A XX-something year-old me with my Darling … Read More →
Bratwurst: “Brat” Is Right!–Charcutepalooza Challenge #7
Let me start this post by saying that despite all the drama in its creation, we ended up with perfectly wonderful bratwurst in the end. The Procurement Process This recipe calls for something called “Soy Protein Concentrate.” Upon reading that ingredient, I thought no problem, … Read More →
Duck Prosciutto-Charcutepalooza Challenge #1
I had big plans for this prosciutto. Big sweeping plans involving wine, cheese, a baguette and possibly grapes. Definitely wine. Maybe even a pizza. French-influenced continental goodness al fresco. Until late last year when I stumbled upon a package at my butcher’s, I had no … Read More →
We’re Moving!
It’s been a great first year for Gastography and I am happy to announce that we are moving. I finally got off my butt and registered my very own blog domain. The fun will continue here. New RSS feed address Thank you for your continued … Read More →