I agree, lately my blog’s flavor leans on the meaty side (sorry vegetarians). This all has to do with my latest fascination with cured meats, and the craft of Charcuterie I consider an art in itself. After some (failed) attempts at curing sausage, some of which grew beards (literally), I finally got a grip on some of the key rules, so here is the the first successful result – Salame di Brianza!

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© Gabi for Mamaliga, 2010. | Permalink | 15 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: air dried meats, Charcuterie, cured meats, home made sausage, italian cured meats, pork sausage, salame, salame di brianza, salami, salami recipes, sausage making

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Bacon Wrapped Dates

First I’d like to thank all of you for the messages of concern you sent regarding my mysterious disappearance that left some of you wondering what is going on with me. It is good to know that I have friends out there in the Blogosphere! Thank you!
It was all because of an intense period of preparation and practice for a Broadway musical called The Wedding Singer, where I was hired to play (loud) guitars in the orchestra (band) pit. Although it was a fun experience, sounded extremely well, it was a strenuous time for me because I had to learn about 23 songs by sight reading which proved me to be a little rusty since I am more of a guitar player that plays ‘by ear’ than after a score, etc. But hey, I pulled it off, and here I am ready to do some cooking!

This brings me to my second point and more relevant for this blog:

Blanket For Dates!

Remember last year’s 40st B-Day present from my wife, the class for Irresistible Hors d’ oeuvres at Chicago’s Chopping Block cooking school? Well it turned out to be a blast. It was a nice night, we prepared interesting Hors d’ Oeuvres, but one of them really irresistible me. They were the bacon wrapped dates.

A delicious finger food appetizer that’s very easy to prepare. Here is the recipe with simple tips.

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© Gabi for Mamaliga, 2009. | Permalink | 23 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: apettizer, Bacon, Bacon Wrapped Dates, cream of balsamic, dates, Hors d'Oeuvres

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The place has a vast schedule of classes from learning how to bake bread and pastries, prepare sauces, knife skillz, to making the well known Chicago style pizza, pasta workshop, hands on sushi, wine tasting,  French Bistro, and so on. I’m still unsure which classes to attend. The “Irresistible Hors d’Oeuvres” looks interesting so far. They will teach you (me) some interesting appetizers like:

• Mushroom, Onion and Gruyere Cheese Puff Pastry Tart
• Crab and Spinach Dip
• Chorizo and Phyllo Cigars
• Candied Nuts
• Bacon Wrapped Dates (who wouldn’t like THAT !?!)

I debated between the Italian Comfort food and the Hors d’Oeuvres class and I feel myself drawn more to the latest since we have plenty of authentic Italian cooking going on in our family that I could learn from without paying the $75/class tuition.

I am curious to know if any of you attended any of these classes and if you have a strong opinion what to take and what not, etc.
It looks like a nice downtown experience, specially for my, the suburb boy who only needs to take the commuter train from the Northwest suburbs into Chicago where the class takes place (Merchandise Mart building). And if they taste good I’ll post the recipes and techniques! Might even smack some pics!

© Gabi for Mamaliga, 2008. | Permalink | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Bacon, chicago, chicago style pizza, chopping block cooking school, Cooking Classes, Hors d'Oeuvres, merchandise mart, Mushroom, The chopping Block

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© Gabi for Mamaliga, 2008. | Permalink | 12 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: baked eggplant, cooking, cooking eggplant, dip recipes, dips, easy dip, eggplant dip, eggplant parmesan, eggplant recipe, eggplant recipes, eggplants, grilled eggplant, middle eastern food, recipe for dip, recipe for eggplant, roasted eggplant

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