Chef Kitchens @ Home |

Work Space

I have always wanted a kitchen with an island like the one in the header photo above, it’s just beautiful! But as a home chef, I also would love to have a dedicated space just for prep work and not to be the island that people sit at to enjoy a meal as well. I like them both to be separated. That’s why I like a dedicated eating table that is stand alone and a preparation table that is stand alone as well. I have fortunately been gifted a chef’s prep table that I had been telling you about and am anxiously awaiting its arrival. It’s really going to make all the difference in my mighty little kitchen here at the ‘Stepping Stone.’ Click the link below to see it (and I will be sure to post a photo when I get mine set up in my space).

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Jagacida/ Jag

Cape Verdean Rice and Beans…we call it Jagacida or most commonly, Jag! It’s long grain rice, beans (usually kidney, pinto, lima or peas- I love pinto) that you soak overnight, or you can use from the can, I soak fresh beans overnight then cook for an hour the next day before adding to the rice recipe. You sauté onions and usually Portuguese Linguisa (I like kielbasa or beef sausage…don’t come for me, we all like what we like!), spices, add rice (rinsed or not, your choice), beans and Knorr broth. Cook for 24 minutes or so covered on simmer after bringing to a boil first. View slide show to the right.

View Slide Show——>

Asian Flavored Pork Chops

One of the easiest dishes is this Asian flavored pork chop recipe. Marinate bone-in pork chops in a marinade of soy sauce, mirin, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, onion powder, brown sugar, cumin, gojujang and/or sriracha. You can marinate as little as an hour or overnight. If you marinate overnight, bring the chops to room temperature before grilling. You can grill them on an outdoor grill, an indoor stove top grill or in a grill pan. You can even just cook them in a fry pan, they are still delicious. Cook about 5- 6 minutes per side. They are delicious served with plain white rice, fried rice, and even JAG!!

<——View Slide Show

I hope you all are getting through this beginning of Winter! I hope it’s not too brutal on us here in the unpredictable New England. Stay warm and keep your kitchens ready for Soup! As the year comes to an end, I look forward to seeing you on Monday to wrap it all up. Have a safe and fun weekend.