Author: Ben Starr
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*NO CANS* Green Bean Casserole
Ah, green bean casserole…that staple of Thanksgiving dinners and church potlucks for decades. So easy that even someone who can’t cook can make it, because all you have to do is open a can of green beans, a can of cream of mushroom soup, and a package of French fried onions and it makes itself. …
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Green Chile Breakfast Gorge in Albuquerque
I’m on the road again, and this morning I found myself in Albuquerque. I’ve been a New Mexico addict since childhood, early on for their mountains, caves, and deserts, and later on for their culture and food. No one has mastered the growing of green chiles like New Mexican farmers, and no one has mastered…
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The 5 Cookbooks I Can’t Live Without
I often get asked which cookbooks are my favorite, so I figured some of you would enjoy a blog about it. I have a LOT of cookbooks. Most of them are specific to making a particular type of product. I have lots of books on making cheese. Making wine. Curing meats. Canning and preserving. The…
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A BETTER way to roast Hatch green chiles
Yesterday I posted this photo of Hatch green chiles flame roasting in my backyard. A number of folks were VERY concerned about the chiles in the center, which are completely black. But those chiles look that way intentionally. Allow me to explain. Some chiles have such a thick skin that they need to be peeled…
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Josh Marks: In Memoriam
For those of you who don’t know, Josh Marks, runner up from MasterChef season 3, died last week at his own hands. This tragedy is too awful to process, even for those of us who didn’t know Josh. I cannot imagine what his family is experiencing. I haven’t addressed this issue earlier for several reasons. …
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Burning Man 2013: Part 1
And now it’s time…the main event. Burning Man. This was my 5th “Burn” and the more often I get asked, “What is Burning Man?” the more at a loss for words I am. When you ask that question to one of the 65,000+ “Burners,” you’ll get 65,000+ different answers. “It’s an art festival.” “It’s the…
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Crispy Fish Tacos
I’ve had quite a number of requests for the recipe for fish tacos that I served as my “signature dish” on MasterChef. It’s certainly not my signature dish, but it’s one of the only things I make that could be made in an hour, so that’s what I made! Fish tacos are one of the…
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“Ambassador Hotel” Black Bottom Pie
The “black bottom pie” is an ancient staple of Southern home cooking…most often found at church potlucks, family reunions, and Sunday suppers. It’s not common in home kitchens these days, but a unique institution in Los Angeles, of all places, gave this regional favorite a solid spot on the national dessert roster. The Ambassador hotel…
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Caramel Stuffed Banana Nut Muffins
What’s better than a banana nut muffin? A banana nut muffin stuffed with caramel. Of course. This recipe is based on the great Alton Brown’s banana bread recipe, which I’ve tweaked to make these decadent muffins. If you’re looking for a healthy breakfast recipe, this ain’t it. Check out my whole grain low-fat banana bread…
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Guest Post: Do Food Shows Have Ethical Obligations?
My supremely cool fan Josh O’Connor, who interacts often on my blog posts, got to thinking about the issues of food waste, and the treatment of reality TV contestants with dietary restrictions, after one of my recent MasterChef recaps where many dozens of eggs were thrown in the trash, as well as shattering the plates…