Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Potato Season
We never do know what tomorrow will bring. One day I am teaching a cooking class in my home for a group of friends and the next I am in Johnson, Vermont for the filming of a Gourmet Butchering Video, that I am co-hosting with a butcher friend (more details to come). Also new to my fun ever-changing day to day life, is the planning of a localvore dinner at Murray's Tavern in Essex Junction scheduled for September 13th (more details to come).
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Pilot Light
A good friend in the kitchen is the oven pilot light. Today I used its delicate warmth to assist my bread rise and to gently dry out my fresh picked herbs.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Favorite Cookbooks and My New Store
Check out my new store. Click here. You may also find a link to my store at chefcontos.com. On a regular basis I receive many questions about what books I like and what pots and pans I recommend etc. Now you can shop with my recommendations and guidance.
Every Wednesday for seven years I hunt down a New York Times and read the food section. I have had many funny moments doing this, like recently when I asked the shopkeeper if she had anymore Wednesday NYT because all I see is Tuesdays. She looked at me and said "today is Tuesday". Opps.
I try and never miss but sometimes I'm early.
We all like to read and if you are like me you have to much to read. We have our magazine subscriptions, newspapers, and books to name a few. I wanted to share with you a few of my favorite cookbooks, magazines, and books.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
In the News
This Friday on WCAX Channel 3 at 6:40am, I will be teaching you how to cook one of my favorite asparagus recipes (watch last segment on TV). After that I will head to JP's restaurant in Essex Junction where I will be live on the radio with Nolan & Tara (listen live at The Star 92.9) and having breakfast with one of my colleges from the new Five Corners Farmers' Market. We will be discussing the new farmers market in Essex Junction. Opening day is June 18th 4:30-7:30 and every Friday after that until October 18th. I will be doing a cooking demonstration opening day!
Burlington Free Press article: "The smoky smell of the woodstove mingled with the smoky scent of dried chili peppers in the Essex Junction home of Courtney Contos
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Mariachi Music and Chiles
Long long ago in Chicago lived Meson del Lago, an authentic Mexican restaurant run by my father Bill Contos. With my family's history in French restaurants it seems strange to have had a Mexican one but my family's extensive love affair with Mexican food has never puzzled me. I have it too!
Midnight. My travel companions and I arrived in the lovely town of San Miguel De Allende, Mexico. First things first: TACOS! So, our divine navigator wheeled us to the best Taco stand in town and within minutes three pork tacos with a side of grilled scallions was happily in front of me. "Salsa?" "YES please"!
Monday, February 15, 2010
The Clean 15 and the Dirty Dozen
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Chinese New Year & Morning Muffins
*These muffins freeze wonderfully!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Sweet Clover Market
4 pounds beef brisket
3 garlic cloves, slivered
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1-cup apple cider vinegar
10 oz.
2 medium onions, sliced thin
1-cup strong brew coffee
2 Tablespoons tomato paste
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
½ cup grade B maple syrup
1 tablespoon sea salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons dried oregano
20 rolls or small buns
Prepare brisket by cutting small slits all over the brisket. Insert garlic slivers into the cuts in the brisket. Pour cider vinegar over the brisket and rub it with crushed garlic.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Add bacon to a preheated cast iron pan with a tight fitting lid and cook at med/low heat until bacon is crisp. Remove the bacon but leave the fat in the pan.
Heat the skillet with the bacon fat to med/high heat. Once hot, pat the brisket dry with a paper towel. Add the brisket to the pan and brown both sides (approximately 3 minutes on each side)
Remove brisket and set aside.
Decrease the heat to medium and add the onions and cook until deep brown.
Return brisket to the pan.
Combine coffee, tomato paste, cayenne, maple syrup, salt, pepper and oregano and pour over the brisket. Cover the pan and bake for 30 minutes.
Decrease the heat to 250 degrees and cook for an additional 3 ½ -4 hours until meat is tender.
Let rest for 20 minutes, carve and garnish with crisp bacon. Make sliders and save sauce on the side to dip! Yum.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
News from my kitchen
Hello,
- Follow me on twitter
- Flow me on the Vermont Cheese Councils newsletter and look up past recipes
- Check out my family's restaurant history on my Bio page of chefcontos.com
- Cook one or two healthy meals a week.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Cookie Marathon Comes To an END
