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Appetizers/Starters

Appetizers/Starters, Dinner, Lunch, Soups

Maine Lobster Stew

There are times when I make something and I even stun myself at how good it is. This is pretty rare, I must admit, because I have insanely high standards and even when things are pretty spectacular, I will most often find fault with my own food. But this, this Maine Lobster Stew, this was perhaps one of the best things that I have ever made. It was spectacular. Now as a Mainer, generally I would say that seafood stews do not have potatoes — chowders yes, stews no and bisque definitely not. But I found these itty bitty (like 1/2 inch to 1 inch) mini red potatoes called Pee Wee Potatoes and they were just perfect for this, so I went with it and yep, they were great.

If you don’t want to make your own lobster stock, you can use the Better Than Bouillon Lobster Base for the stock, even though you add an additional tablespoon in the stew. Also, the mashed potato powder give it a lush consistency so I would highly recommend (just the plain flavor).

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Appetizers/Starters, Savory Snacks

Prosperity Pig Parmesan Crackers

I may have mentioned this before, but pigs are a symbol of good luck in Germany … Glücksschweine. The origins are from medieval times, where if you had a boar or pig, you would survive through the winter. Often right around New Year’s little big symbols (fondant, marzipan, chocolate) are given as resents to wish good luck for the coming year. These Prosperity Pig Parmesan Crackers are right along those lines as well. You obviously could also make them just as regular square or round crackers, but this is much more fun.

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Appetizers/Starters, Dinner, Lunch, Sides

Garlic and Herb Roasted Fingerlings

Last summer, I make these super-crispy roast fingerling potatoes. They were so good, in fact, that I pretty much ate the entire dish in one sitting. Crispy, golden outside, fluffy and delicious on the inside. As I am often known to do, once I find a recipe that I really like, I try variations on them and that it what this is: Garlic and Herb Roasted Fingerlings. Also delicious, but you definitely have to be careful to no sog out the potatoes with the garlic herb butter.

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Appetizers/Starters, Dinner, Lunch, Sides

Rumpledethumps

OK, I have to admit that the reason that I made this dish – Scottish-inspired Rumpledethumps – was because of the word Rumpledethumps. I mean, honestly, it’s a little silly sounding. Although, no more silly than Bubbles and Squeak or Colcannon, of which this dish is very similar too. Mashed potatoes, a cabbage type, lots of butter and in this case, baked with cheddar on top. It’s comfort food at it’s best. Perfect as a autumn or winter food side. Gluten-free of course, though not dairy free with the butter (mmmmm, butter) and melty cheese.

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Appetizers/Starters, Breakfast/Brunch, Lunch, Savory Snacks

Goat Cheese and Tender Greens Baked Oven Puff

Have I even mentioned how much I hate the name of the food “Dutch Baby”? It’s absolutely stupid. And frankly, doesn’t sound very appetizing. And it wasn’t even “invented” in the Netherlands. Yes, of course, there are foods similar to a a Dutch Baby, but the expression itself was coined at a cafe in Seattle, and was even then, a misnomer as the person was most likely accidentally riffing on Deutsch (German) not Dutch. It’s a giant pop-over or Yorkshire Pudding (which may or may not come from Yorkshire).

And while I have the name, the food itself is quite delicious. This is a mostly savory version, with goat cheese, dill and baby greens (I used pea tendrils), but with a little drizzle of honey. Makes a great brunch dish!

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