Easter Eats: Grilled Lambsicles with Mint Pesto

Jennifer Spaide of Simplicious is constantly coming up with elaborate menus for her holiday celebrations that put my cooking to shame. When she tweeted about this one, I simply had to have the recipe. Grilled Lamb Chops are one of my favorite dishes, and when paired with this healthy and light Mint Pesto, they become the perfect Easter entree. Enjoy this beautiful dish. Happy holidays!

Grilled Lambsicles with Mint Pesto

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CTbites Invites Recap: Passover Cooking w/ Tabouli Grill

With the snow piled so high in front on the Post Road, it could have been easy to miss Tabouli Grill in Southport… but  I was determined to join a spirited group for CTbites Invites Passover Cooking, so maneuvered my way around to the side parking lot and entrance. 

Chef/owner Judith Roll greeted everyone with hot coffee and her spongy homemade lemon cake as we were handed recipes for the morning's “hands on” cooking class in the Tabouli kitchen. (See Chef Judy's recipe for Bubbe's Brisket below.)

Chef Judy, who has traveled the world bringing authentic Middle Eastern cuisine to her two restaurants, in Stamford and in Southport, is passionate about what she prepares and had created a wonderful Passover menu for our entertainment and dining pleasure ( Passover is March 25-April 2 ).

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Top Spots for Chocolate in Connecticut [updated]

For the traditional Valentines Day present, it's nearly impossible to beat the universal appeal of chocolate. And for those of us who could care less about the Hallmark holiday, consider this a great way to satisfy that sweet tooth. So without further ado, here is a short list of places across Connecticut to satisfy that craving and maybe score a few points with your sweetheart. A word to the wise: when buying chocolate, you'll want to stop in a few days before the holiday to strike the best balance between freshness and selection. And please comment below and share any favorite chocolate or sweet spots that we missed! [Originally posted in 2012, this has been updated for 2013].

Bridgewater Chocolate
What: Huge variety of chocolates, bars, cookies, toffee, etc.
Where: 559 Federal Road, Brookfield 

Chocolate Lab at eleven14 Kitchen
What: Chocolate shop and café located inside the JHouse hotel 
Where: 1114 East Putnam Avenue, Greenwich

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Plan B's Chef John Shares 8 Tips for Making Great Chili

Chef John Brennan of Plan B in Milford knows a LOT about making Chili. This is why when it came time to plan my Super Bowl party, I turned to him for advice. Chef John's 8 simple tips will turn your Super Bowl menu into a huge win. Enjoy the game. Enjoy the chili. 

1. Start by using the best Ingredients. The heart of the chili is the meat that you use. At Plan B we use premium certified humane beef and pork from ranchers that don’t use antibiotics or hormones on their cattle. It’s a simple step, the better the meat…the better the chili.
2. At Plan B we use a mixture of ground and cubed chuck and ground pork. Think of your chili like a meat ball, the perfect blend of pork and beef can make your chili a success. When purchasing the meat for your chili I suggest finding a local butcher that grinds their meat fresh daily, freshness equals flavor.
3. Start your chili by sweating your vegetables. Treat your chili like a soup or a delicate sauce and sweat your onions and peppers to release their flavor. I suggest bell peppers and Spanish onions. When doing this be sure to heat your pot at medium to high and keep an eye on your veggies, stirring regularly.

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The Spread Hosts A "Mad Men" New Years Eve Bash

Still trying to figure out how to spend New Years Eve? Hmmm...What would Don Draper do? The Spread is hosting a Mad Men themed event that sounds like the perfect combo of good food and good fun...Here's the lineup.

7-8:30 pm Cocktail hour/Raw bar: Specialty drinks from late 50's/early 60's; Blue point oysters and anything else Chef Arik Bensimon finds fresh from the sea.

9-11 pm 5 course dinner: Black bass carpaccio, Cabbage and chanterelles, Lobster Thermidor, Roast lamb,  Cheese course; Dessert

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Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide for the Connecticut Foodie

As is always the case, one holiday ends and another is launched into our consciousness almost instantly. Those crumbs from the pumpkin pies are just being swept away, but The Holiday Season is officially here and Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa shopping has begun. What to get? Where to get it? It’s the annual quest. We’d like to make things a wee bit easier for you, as we’ve found some great items for the food lovers on your list. Buy one, buy several! Either way, you will seen as one of those “good gift givers”!

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Chef Matt Storch: The Day After Turkey & Waffles

Every Thanksgiving, we ask our friends in the Chef community for their favorite holiday recipes. This year we got a last minute entry from Chef Matt Storch of Match Restaurant & The Chelsea with a great idea for all those leftovers. Ok...that picture above...it's not turkey...those are chicken livers, but it's the best we could do on short notice. Here is Matt Storch's Day After Turkey & Waffles Recipe. 

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CTbites TV:Chef Bernard Bouissou Demo's Baby Pumpkin Holiday Recipe

Chef Bernard Bouissou of Bernard's in Ridgefield is somewhat of a Fairfield County legend amongst both chefs and diners alike. Talented chefs including Arik Bensimon and Bill Taibe have gained valuable skills in his contemporary French kitchen, and when it comes to entertaining, no one has a larger repertoire of beautiful holiday recipes.

Recently, Chef Bouissou stepped into CTbites' test kitchen to demonstrate his recipe for Baby Pumpkins filled with Pumpkin Mousseline, Sautéed Shrimp & Wild Mushrooms. These are stunning on a Thanksgiving table and simple to make. Watch the video for great tips while you try out this recipe at home (Recipe Below). 

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Brazilian Chef Leticia Schwartz's Pecan Pie Recipe

Chef Leticia Schwartz is the author of The Brazilian Kitchen, the cookbook that made Brazilian cooking accessible to the masses. She has appeared on The Today Show and teaches cooking classes in Fairfield County and NYC. 

Welcome November! With the aftermath of hurricane Sandy and the elections behind us, I think we all want to move on to Thanksgiving, just around the corner, and the perfect occasion to be thankful for what we have. This is my favorite American Holiday and truly the biggest gourmet feast on the calendar year.

As a Brazilian living in the US, it took me a few years to understand the deep meaning of Thanksgiving— especially the repeated menu every year. On the other hand, the chef in me loves to see the whole country talking turkey and cooking this one giant meal.

One of my favorite desserts from the Thanksgiving picture is Pecan Pie.

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Guide to Catering Thanksgiving in Fairfield County

Thanksgiving is the most anticipated and sometimes the most daunting meal of the year. But, in the end, it is all about food, friends and family. Depending on the number of guests in your party, there are several options for celebrating the holiday that don't involve slaving away in the kitchen for days.  Here are a few resources for those who would prefer to get a little assistance. (Readers: If you know of other Thanksgiving catering resources, please add them.)

Nicholas Roberts Gourmet Bistro will be open until noon on Thanksgiving day for pick up only.  Our Thanksgiving Menu is available on our Web Site. All apps, soups & sides are fully cooked and have full reheat instructions.  The turkeys are dressed, trussed and ready to roast with complete roasting instructions.

Rosie in New Canaan can handle all your Thanksgiving needs. A full menu of classic sides such as Rosie’s homemade herb gravy, haricots verts with shitakes, & celery root apple fennel soup. All orders must be picked up between 1-6 PM Wedesday, November 21st. Call (203) 966-8998. 

Le Farm/ The Whelk will be closed on Thanksgiving, but will be offering Trout Dip and Chicken Liver Pate with bacon jam for purchase prior to the big day. Call to order: (203) 557-3701

BONDA: Many of you may be have fond memories of, Abbondanza Specialty Food - the gourmet prepared foods store and catering company Bonda owned in Westport for nearly 10 years.

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