Monthly Archives: March 2011

Vegetable Soup

Posted on 03/11/2011 by Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide

I got home from work today and discovered a very unhappy wife sick with the flu. When I had left in the morning she was sure that by the middle of the day she would be fine. This was obviously … Continue reading →

Posted in Dinner, Food, How to, Soups | Tagged , | 4 Comments

The cookbooks I can’t live without

Posted on 03/10/2011 by Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide

I know. It seems so passe. Everything’s on the Internet these days. No one uses cookbooks anymore. Well I do. Nevermind, all the Epicurious searches or lunches spent surfing food blogs, I still have opened up Better Homes and Gardens‘ … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Rants | Tagged , | 24 Comments

Refried Beans

Posted on 03/09/2011 by Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide

I love taco nights although not for the tacos. True, the tacos are good. Actually the tacos are great, but I always look forward to refried beans. Of course my refried beans do not come out of a can. They … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Mexican, Recipes, Sides | Tagged , | 15 Comments

On family recipes and finding the right macaroon

Posted on 03/08/2011 by Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide

Another post from my editor and wife. My future mother-in-law asked me before I flew to Germany to meet Greg’s family for the first time if there was anything I wouldn’t eat. I drew a blank. Liver and onions, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Dessert, Food, Recipes | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Smoking Poultry

Posted on 03/07/2011 by Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide

This is the final installment in the three-part series on smoking poultry. Here are parts 1 and 2. Smoking meat has always been something I could do every day. There really is no better way to cook meat when it … Continue reading →

Posted in Chicken, Dinner, Grilling/Smoking, How to | Tagged , | 26 Comments

Brining a Bird

Posted on 03/05/2011 by Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide

This is part two of the three-part segment on smoking a bird. Here is Part one. Why brine? A brine is simply a salt solution. Brining makes the protein trap the moisture in the meat. This helps keep the meat … Continue reading →

Posted in Chicken, Food, Grilling/Smoking, How to | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Trussing a Bird

Posted on 03/05/2011 by Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide

This is a three-part segment on how to smoke a chicken. Post No. 1 deals with how to truss a bird. Also all photos are by my lovely and talented wife this time. Why truss? First off, it looks nice. … Continue reading →

Posted in Chicken, Food, Grilling/Smoking, How to | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Stuffed Peppers

Posted on 03/04/2011 by Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide

This dish is deceptively simple. Take a few things, mix them together and stuff it all in a pepper half. Easy, right? Well first the peppers need to be shaped so each side will sit down flat. That means picking … Continue reading →

Posted in Beef, Dinner, Food, Recipes | Tagged , | 19 Comments

Grilled Pesto Chicken Breasts

Posted on 03/03/2011 by Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide

Every year I spend about a month making pesto — May to be exact. That is when the first crop of arugula is ready for harvest and the local farmers market is in full swing. I go to the farmers … Continue reading →

Posted in Chicken, Dinner, Food, Grilling/Smoking, Italian, Rants, Recipes | Tagged , | 21 Comments

Sausage and Peppers

Posted on 03/02/2011 by Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide

Here is a quick weekday meal prepared with fresh sausage. It can be served over rice or tossed with a thick pasta like fettucini. I like a little spice but it is not necessary. Sausage and Peppers 2-3 links raw … Continue reading →

Posted in Dinner, Food, Pork, Recipes | Tagged , | Leave a comment