Lucinda Scala Quinn’s Mad Hungry Shepherd’s Pie [RECIPE]

In his autobiography, Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards tells of cooking two things at home: bangers and mash (sausage and mashed potatoes), and shepherd’s pie. Here, I have co-opted his idea of doubling up on the onions by adding a bonus layer of chopped, raw onions between the cooked onion–meat mixture and the potatoes. Save on dishes by sautéing the meat mixture in the same oven-safe, deep skillet you will bake the pie in. Alternatively, sauté the meat in a skillet and assemble the pie in a separate casserole dish. Continue reading “Lucinda Scala Quinn’s Mad Hungry Shepherd’s Pie [RECIPE]”
In ‘The Dude Diet,’ Serena Wolf Proves She Understands How Men Eat [REVIEW]

As a dude, particularly as a dude of a certain age, I have become increasingly concerned about what I eat. My physician just had a heart to heart with me today in fact, reminding me to be more conscious of the food I put in my body, the need to minimize carbohydrates, watch my cholesterol intake, and reduce the number of calories I consume daily. But what’s a dude to do when he loves chowing down on pizza, wings, nachos, and all the other eats guys love? That’s where Serena Wolf’s new book, The Dude Diet: Clean(ish) Food for People Who Like to Eat Dirty, comes in to save the day. Continue reading “In ‘The Dude Diet,’ Serena Wolf Proves She Understands How Men Eat [REVIEW]”
Fiery Pork and Pineapple Skewers [RECIPE]

One of the things I love most about Asian cuisine is that it frequently pairs opposites and makes them work together as a yummy duo you rarely get anywhere else. Here, juicy pineapple is paired with marinated pork and red onion for an out of this world flavor combo that will surely knock your socks off. The best part is, you can cook these skewers up on the grill and that’s one less kitchen disaster you to have to clean up! Continue reading “Fiery Pork and Pineapple Skewers [RECIPE]”
Robert Masello’s ‘The Jekyll Revelation’ Puts A Modern Twist on a Gothic Classic [REVIEW]

(Pictures courtesy Illustrated London News, Lloyd Osbourne, and Library of Congress)
Good stories linger with us as readers, burrowing under our skin, tickling our imaginations long after the last page is turned. Ever since Robert Louis Stevenson’s novella The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde was published in 1886 and Jack the Ripper’s horrific Whitechapel Murders were publicized in the press in 1888, both tales have haunted us ever since. But what if the stories were linked somehow? And if they were, where is the line between fact and fiction drawn? Author Robert Masello brilliantly blends the two tales to create the unforgettable, terrifying novel, The Jekyll Revelation. Continue reading “Robert Masello’s ‘The Jekyll Revelation’ Puts A Modern Twist on a Gothic Classic [REVIEW]”
Pork Medallions with Roasted Root Vegetables and Grapes [RECIPE]

Few things say autumn to me like a huge platter of roasted veggies served alongside one of my favorite cuts of meat, pork tenderloin. I love it because it is a tasty cut that cooks quickly, but it also has great health benefits. If you’re watching your figure, tenderloin has only 93 calories per 3-ounce serving and is very lean. It is also rich in selenium which helps regulate your metabolism and protects the cells that line your blood vessels from damage. The addition of grapes lends moisture and a touch of natural sweetness to the meal. The best thing about this fall feast is that it looks simply gorgeous on your plate. Enjoy! Continue reading “Pork Medallions with Roasted Root Vegetables and Grapes [RECIPE]”