Lion’s mane mushrooms have a dense, meaty texture similar to stewed beef and easily take on the flavors of this recipe; the result is familiar in its decadence but avoids the heaviness that often follows consuming red meat. Smoked bacon and beef broth provide ample meaty flavors while enriching the silky herbed sauce of aromatic […]
Tartine is the French term for “open-face sandwich,” basically what we call ‘toast’ here in America. Europeans enjoy tartines for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with many options for creating delicious and intriguing combinations; this flexibility inspired my first recipe with Windy City Mushrooms, an elm oyster and chestnut mushroom tartine with Brie and pickled vegetables. […]
What led you to create Laura’s Gourmet Granola?What became Vanilla Almond Crunch, which is our flagship and our first flavor, became nothing more than me making granola for myself. It stemmed from seeing a recipe in a magazine that looked like what I would eat in college while taking exams. I was pretty much fresh […]
With fall finally upon us its time to enjoy the late-summer harvest of golden peaches, juicy plums, and ripe blackberries. Peppery arugula pairs perfectly with sweet stone fruits and a handful of granola adds crunchy balance to the creamy richness of Greek-style yogurt. To finish, a bright, herbal pinch of fresh thyme brings the garden […]
When late summer arrives I start craving the rich flavors of roasted root vegetables. It’s just now mid-August, so while it’s still hot outside I like to combine the earthy-sweet aroma and flavor of roast beets with peppery watercress, tossed with bright, tangy lemon-garlic vinaigrette and topped with creamy cubes of herb-marinated goat cheese. When […]
Heirloom tomatoes are one of the quintessential flavors of summer. These sweet cherry heirlooms pair perfectly with another summer classic, juicy peaches, which I’ve grilled and served alongside prosciutto and creamy burrata. This makes a quick and easy side to a larger meal, or as an impressive centerpiece for a casual cheeseboard. Pairs well with […]
Today is National Fried Chicken Day, though I don’t need a holiday to indulge! I grew up eating homemade fried chicken, my mom and my grandmothers each had their own style but my favorite is marinated in seasoned buttermilk and drizzled with a sweet and spicy honey pepper sauce. This combo works really well on […]
In our house, we really enjoy Mexican flavors and so we tend to make pork carnitas or al pastor, grilled marinated chicken or seasoned ground beef to enjoy throughout the week. I like to incorporate leftovers into breakfast dishes (recipe coming soon!) or even just a pile of nachos for grazing on the sofa while […]
Let’s be honest, we could all use a vacation right now! That’s why I decided to make crispy coconut crusted shrimp with a hot pepper and pineapple dipping sauce, to enjoy a little taste of vacation even while being stuck at home. This dish captures the flavors of a tropical island with sweet coconut, juicy […]
During this challenging time of strict social distancing and the monotonous isolation of being locked up indoors for weeks at a time, I think we all could use a little comfort, and what could be more comforting than warm home-made fried apple fritters? Most of the ingredients you probably already have on hand, other than […]
Boneless beef short ribs are an inexpensive cut and easy to prepare when braised, and will deliver stunning results. This cut has a beautiful marbling of fat intertwined within the meat, which melts during cooking guaranteeing moist, tender melt-in-your-mouth texture and a rich, flavorful pan sauce. Be sure to choose thick, meaty ribs because they […]
Living in the midwest, a full 800 miles from the nearest ocean, our seafood choices are still pretty decent though typically it has been a while since your dinner was pulled from the sea and has passed through a few hands, each of whom layer on additional markup. This doesn’t only result in higher prices […]
A Cook's Canvas 