
My father used to say, “Chuck doesn’t do anything in halves.” He was right: sometimes its a virtue and sometimes a curse. He and my mother taught me to cook, sometimes using cookbooks, like Julia Child's, but more frequently just winging it. This site is a roller coaster ride of recipes, articles, ingredients and anything else that involves cooking and presenting food. There is something here for everybody from beginners to experts.
Cooking Temps
Chicken breast 165, Chicken thigh 170 or more. Pork med well 145, Pork med 140, Rack of lamb med rare 131, Beef very rare 125, Beef rare 130,Beef med rare 135, Duck Breast 126, Salmon med 118, Disclaimer: USDA stds dictate much higher temps. To be super safe, cook everything until it is dry and crunchy, then toss it in the trash
Warning, This Dark Chocolate is Addicting!
I always thought that Dark Chocolate was basically well.... just Dark chocolate. So I was wrong in a big way. I was thinking about buying some Dark chocolate as an X-mas present and went to Googletown to get some info. I quickly found that the standard names in chocolate are not really considered top-shelf by aficionados of this delicious derivative of the coccoa bean. I found the website Bar and Cocoa

Wow, I went nuts. I ordered 20 bars at an average cost of $9 !!!

That is a lot of coin, but it is a substitute for a sugar-laden dessert. At least that is how I justified it. I also use them for unique gifts. Here is a quick link for Dark chocolate bars, plain or with salt, that have won an award. HERE. I have tried a few and they are fantastic!