healthy

Bangers and mash

Bangers and mash

This recipe plays homage to my Irish heritage. At least for me, there’s something incredibly comforting about bangers and mash. Maybe it’s the thought of ducking into a pub in Ireland on a cold and rainy day and ordering up a plate of these, or just the fact that any…

Spaghetti sauce

Spaghetti sauce

Mmmmmm . . . spaghetti. When I was a kid, I called it Ba-scetti. Don’t act like you nailed this one right out of the gate. The Italians call this stuff “sauce.” We spend at least one weekend a year canning tomatoes and tomato sauce (without the meat added at that…

Braised rabbit

Braised rabbit

If you should ever have the chance to go on a rabbit hunt, I highly recommend it. The exhilaration of waiting for them to run out in front of you is something you need to witness firsthand. My first rabbit hunt was on Gene Hartman’s farm in east Tennessee. It was an…

Venison medallions with mustard sauce

Venison medallions with mustard sauce

Many years ago, I shot my first deer on some family land of ours in Alabama. My 30/30 lever action Winchester was the weapon of choice, as it was a gift from my dad, who was with me on the hunt. I remember my heart thumping out of my chest, taking a big deep breath…

Pulled pork

Pulled pork

This is not a recipe you decide to make for dinner at lunchtime. It takes an investment of time. The good news is that most of the 20–24 hours this takes are not labor intensive. The recipe calls for 5–10 pounds of meat. If you’re toward the heavier end of that…

Smokin’ good pork spare ribs

Smokin’ good pork spare ribs

I’m reasonably sure that my dad could make a living cooking things. His tailored smoker has seen its fair share of cooking endeavors. For years the Mayfield-Fisher Fourth of July Hog Cookin’ was a must-attend for many of our friends. My earliest accounts of this party…

Apple & apricot pork chops

Apple & apricot pork chops

The slow cooker is a fantastic tool for the busy wanna-be chef. They come in really handy for soups, roasts, chops, shanks, and any other cut of meat that is best braised. Most slow cookers these days will automatically switch to a warm setting once they have finished…

Country curry

Country curry

There are four main reasons I asked Julie to marry me: her curry abilities, incredible good looks, extremely caring heart, and her passion for bringing happiness to others (these are in no particular order). Julie’s curry recipe was the first time I had ever tried…

Pork tenderloin

Pork tenderloin

Taking a classic name and making it even more delicious. The other white meat reigns supreme! If you don’t already have a homemade nut butter lying around, this recipe could take an extra few minutes. We almost always have some Pecash butter in our refrigerator. Feel…

Fish stick-o-liscous

Fish stick-o-liscous

This is the finned version of our chicken fried steak recipe. Fat and protein coming together to conquer taste buds all around the world. Who in the world didn’t eat fish sticks as a child? This is a recipe for the entire family to enjoy eating. For more ideas on…

Fish tacos

Fish tacos

One of the advantages of living in Southern California was the access to fish tacos. Let me clarify: access to really good fish tacos. However, the best fish tacos I ever had were on my trip to Mazatlan with friends Heather and Adam, and the fishing trip we went on,…

Cedar-plank chipotle salmon

Cedar-plank chipotle salmon

This is by far one of our favorite salmon recipes. It is relatively easy to make and assuming you have a cedar plank soaked and ready, then you’ll be done in less than 45 minutes. This recipe can transform into a dip or appetizer in a snap. Combine fish with Paleo…