Hot From The Kettle™: The Beauty of Baconized Bourbon ~ The Smoky Deal Cocktail

by Melody Kettle

What cocktail is appropriate for 10 a.m. consumption? The Smoky Deal, of course.

Hot From The Kettle recently visited Chakra in Paramus, where sommelier and general manager Evelyn Hsu Ciszak shook up an absurdly decadent and sinfully delicious cocktail - The Smoky Deal. 

Evelyn learned the technique behind this unique cocktail from mixologists at East Village bar, PDT.  Essentially , the cocktail is a bastardized, baconized Old Fashioned. 

How is it baconized?  Through a method called "fat washing," wherein bourbon is infused with bacon drippings.  Curious?  Watch the video. 

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by Melody Kettle

Hot From The Kettle: Curried Beef Empanadas

by Melody Kettle

You may remember Alison Bermack from our earlier video, Farm To Table, and from her regular contributions on BaristaKids. I visited with Bermack, founder of Cooking with Friends Club, while she demonstrated her twist on Argentinian empanadas.

Want to learn the “rope method” for making Curried Beef Empanadas? Watch the video:

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My Thanksgiving Pasta?

by Melody Kettle

Any sauce suggestions? Bolognese? Carbonara?

Hot From The Kettle™: More from Richie Cecere's Kitchen

by Melody Kettle

Executive Chef at Richie Cecere's, Chef Michael Couso prepared a tender, juicy 16 oz. Pork Chop with an Apple Bacon Demi Glaze.  He served the Chop with with crispy Sweet Potato Pancakes.  A heavenly holiday dish!

Give it a try!  Click here for the recipe.

 

Hot From The Kettle™: Richie Cecere's Restarurant & Bar - Remastered

by Melody Kettle

I will admit that since it’s opening in 2002, Richie Cecere’s Restaurant and Bar, located at 2 Erie Street, Montclair, was an establishment cloaked in a prohibitively expensive mystery. 

The impressive, brick and mahogany edifice, across from the Erie Station, seemed unapproachable.  But no longer is that the case!  The ultra-luxe supper club has changed its tune; still swanky and timelessly cool, Cecere’s is now affordable.  The restaurant has revamped their menu, significantly lowering prices, offering a bar menu, and a children’s menu. 

Where else could you enjoy dinner in an mahogany paneled room, seated in a posh black leather banquette and order Stuffed Rigatoni for $16, or Veal Montechino with Prosciutto, Tomato and Fresh Mozzarella for $24.  Not to mention, the kids can nosh on Rose’s Famous Meatball Sandwich, sip a beverage, and have dessert – all for $8! 

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