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RECENT RECIPES

Classic Manhattan Bourbon Martini

June 11, 2019 Comments are Disabled

Here’s my twist on the Bourbon Manhattan. I called it the Classic Manhattan Bourbon Martini! First thing to do is chill your martini class by filling it with ice cubes. Three ingredients: Bourbon, Bitters and Sweet Vermouth. Here’s the simple way to remember the recipe. The area code for Manhattan […]

BEVERAGES, COCKTAILS, MAIN COURSES

Patriotic 4th of July Vodka & Club Soda Cocktail

June 11, 2019 Comments are Disabled

Here’s one of my favorite 4th of July cocktails. It’s my variation of the classic Gin & Tonic. However in this case, I use vodka instead of gin and soda water instead of tonic water. And, it’s delicious! To add a patriotic touch place a skewer of blackberries, strawberries and […]

MAIN COURSES

Sherry Braised Beef Short Ribs

December 22, 2018 Comments are Disabled

It’s now November in SW Florida. After a sweltering summer, we finally got a break in the weather and Rob requested what he calls “Winter Food”. I had beef short ribs in the freezer and called our friend Ruth Manchester (who by the way is an award-winning chef) for a suggested […]

OUTDOOR KITCHEN STAGE

Great Neighborhood Cooks Outdoor Kitchen Stage & Audience Gallery

August 17, 2019 0 comments

The Great Neighborhood Cooks Outdoor Kitchen Stage & Audience Gallery is adjacent to Rob Kircher’s home and is frequently utilized as the setting for many of his TV Show Segments, Cooking Classes, as well as for Client Food Demonstrations. This 16′ x 16′ kitchen was custom designed from the ground […]

BARB'S RECIPES, MAIN COURSES, PASTA, SAUCES, SEAFOOD

Fresh Linguine with White Clam Sauce

May 12, 2019 Comments are Disabled

The first time I ever tasted Linguini with clam sauce was when we were skiing near the tiny village of Cortina in the Dolomite Mountains of Northern Italy in 1972. We were young, athletic and daring and loved the beautiful but treacherous skiing conditions of that famous resort. It was there where we ran into Penny Marshall and Art Garfunkel in the dining room of the 4-star Hotel Cortina d’Ampezzo.

BARB'S RECIPES, BEVERAGES, COCKTAILS

Fresh Watermelon Mojitos

May 7, 2019 Comments are Disabled

Last year for Mother’s Day, my husband Rob wouldn’t let me lift a finger! He was wonderful. Got up early and made coffee. Got my newspaper. Prepared all the meals. Cleaned up the kitchen. Absolutely everything! The best was going to the beach when he opened the cooler and pulled out a pitcher of Fresh Watermelon Mojitos! As we toasted the horizon, he presented me with a simple white card on which he wrote, “Easy Love!” I’ll never forget it.

BARB'S RECIPES, MAIN COURSES, MEAT

Stuffed Flank Steak w/ Spinach & Blue Cheese

April 24, 2019 Comments are Disabled

For this dish, I blended fresh sauteed spinach, crumbled blue cheese, chopped onions, minced garlic, and olive oil into a stuffing mixture. Then, I butterflied the flank steak, pounded it relatively thin, spread the stuffing on one side, rolled it up, and securely tied it every two inches or so with butcher’s string. The result is a beautiful cylindrical shaped stuffed flank steak that Rob cooked quickly on the grill.

APPETIZERS, BARB'S RECIPES, MAIN COURSES, SIDE DISHES

Marinated Italian Cheese & Olives

April 14, 2019 Comments are Disabled

Most high end grocery stores have a great selection of marinated cheeses, olives and vegetables. While they are a real time-saver for putting together a last minute antipasto platter…they are really cost prohibitive. They sell by the pound at a cost of about $5.99. With a little planning, these recipes can be easily made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for about two weeks.

APPETIZERS, BARB'S RECIPES, MAIN COURSES, MEAT

Roast Beef Spring Roll

April 1, 2019 Comments are Disabled

Different twist to a fresh spring roll. Try this roast beef alternative. Wonderful!

CHICKEN, MAIN COURSES, MEAT, SALADS

Curried Chicken Salad

March 30, 2019 Comments are Disabled

Our home in Upstate NY was located in an historic hamlet on the shore of Lake Ontario called Pultneyville. The hamlet was originally laid out in 1806 and is listed with the National Register of Historic Places. At one time a significant Great Lakes trading port and site of a War of 1812 skirmish, it now is a quiet, Western New York bedroom community. Set between the fruit orchards and a Great Lake on the Seaway Trail, many of Pultneyville’s activities focus on summer sailing and theatre. The hamlet boasts an active marina and is home to the second-oldest little theater in the United States.