Hello after a few days of merriment here at Munch Monster headquarters. Most of you were too busy enjoying your Thanksgiving meal, and then figuring out how to best utilize the leftovers the last few days to notice I’ve been gone. Where to? Glad you asked. After making some fantastic roasted butternut squash puree and roast turkey breast while at work on Thursday I spent Friday at work and then celebrating with family. The occasion was my annual day of birth. more…

So it’s week three of Top Chef New York and coincidentally also Thanksgiving Eve. Actually, is that really what it’s called? I guess technically it is, so let us just go with that. In any case the cheftestants are tasked with cooking a Thanksgiving spread for the Foo Fighters, musicians extraordinaire, and their entourage. Even better Richard lets the audience know that Leah is the flirty one with a nice rack. more…

Many families long ago decided that turkey would not be the staple item at the table on Thanksgiving. I remember friends who mentioned they ate ham on Thanksgiving and turkey on Christmas, and that is just completely backwards. Now people go with the tofurkeys and leg of lambs to change up Thanksgiving dinner. more…

I have no comment on the Phillies as a team. But I do have a comment on the gun their mascot carries around. Last week I presented you with the Turkey Cannon, which sadly shot no turkeys. The Hot Dog Cannon that the Phillie Phanatic wields does actually shoot hot dogs. Instead of boring old T-Shirts, which Ned Flanders can attest are a lot more dangerous than one would assume, the Hot Dog Cannon shoots dogs (wrapped in foil, with mustard and relish) out into the stands. more…

Hey, it looks like the Top Chef cheftestants are coming to my town this week. Well, in truth they were already here as the show isn’t done live. But this Wednesday you can see Stefan and Fabio hold hands as they traipse around Armory Square in Syracuse. Or not. It’ll probably all take place at the venue the Foo Fighters played at. Speaking of which, the Foo Fighters are this week’s guest judge(s). more…

Phew. Even though I’m not currently cooking all of the recipes that have gone up for our Thanksgiving coverage it is still a tiring process getting all of that info out to you. What that means is the easiest dinner possible. Matt, one of the managers at the restaurant, has been asking me to do more salad recipes. I’m of a similar mind to Tom Colicchio in that I don’t necessarily consider making a salad actual cooking. What I do think a salad can be is an easy way to cobble together dinner with nary a thought. more…

Ingredients

Raspberry vinaigrette
1 cup fresh raspberries
½ cup olive oil
3 tablespoons raspberry vinegar
1 shallot, minced
1 teaspoon honey more…

Today’s the day people. Thanksgiving has officially started. But wait, how can that be? You’re probably checking your calendar right now wondering if there’s been some sort of rip in the space time continuum. No, but if you want to enjoy the holiday you must prepare now. So I’m going to provide you with menu ideas and when exactly you should begin working on them. That way when you wake up on Thanksgiving morning there aren’t a bunch of cranky cooks in a cramped kitchen trying to get dinner complete without bloodshed. more…

Ingredients

Pears
10 firm and ripe Bosc pears with stems
¼ cup fresh lemon juice
1 bottle white wine
¾ cup sugar
1 vanilla bean, split
2 strips of lemon zest more…

Ingredients

For cookie crust
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
7 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 large egg more…