Soba Noodles Beef Stir-Fry, Shiitake Mushrooms, Baby Bok Choy

This week I attended a Q&A with Justin Rosenberg, the CEO of Honeygrow. Honeygrow is a Philadelphia-based fast-casual restaurant chain that offers stir-fries and salads. Justin came up with his concept while he was vegan, and most of his diet consisted of stir-fries. He realized that he could build a business around that dish and that people would surely line up for delicious take-out food they’d feel good eating. In other words, Honeygrow resembles an Asian spin on Chipotle‘s “healthier” and local take on Mexican food. Their motto is that they’re “Honestly Grown Locally,” which reflects a search for the best ingredients possible. Yet, the stores aren’t organized in the same way, and the customizing rather happens on handy tablets that face the open kitchen.

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Prosciutto-Wrapped Chicken Tenders, Sweet Pea Puree, Blistered Tomatoes

I’ve been watching a really great documentary series on Netflix called “The Mind of a Chef.” Anthony Bourdain narrates each 20 minute-episode, which follows the lives of outstanding chefs from around the world. It’s an amazing “behind-the-scenes look” into the creative processes that drive them on a daily basis. They talk about their inspirations, backgrounds, and common burning passion for cooking.

Passion Project: Baked Lamb Shank with a Veggie Couscous

Attention everyone, this is my last “meaty” recipe for a while! Lamb shanks mark the end of the first section of my passion project. I will now briefly turn to fish (and potentially shellfish) before returning to mostly vegetarian dishes. I feel like I’ve built up my protein reserves for a while over the past two months, so that shouldn’t be an issue!

Passion Project: Filet Mignon with French Butter and Roasted Asparagus

For my last beef recipe, I decided to go big or go home. Literally. I mean I cooked “filet mignon”, which is one of the thickest cuts there is. So I’m talking big steakhouse style cut right here.

“Filet mignon” comes from the smaller end of the beef tenderloin. It is the equivalent of the pork tenderloin that I cooked the other week. As such, it is the most tender part of beef and consequently the priciest.

Passion Project: Almond and Herbs-Crusted Easter Lamb Chops

Happy Easter everybody! 

This has got to be one of my favorite weekends of the year! Filled with sunshine, bunnies, friends, family, and good food (read: chocolate and lamb)! It doesn’t get much better than that if you ask me. Unless an egg hunt is involved! In which case the whole weekend gets even better. I mean, do you really enjoy the chocolates as much if you don’t have to look for them? Delayed gratification is definitely a thing, right?! Ok maybe not… Maybe that’s just what we were told as kids. But in any case, it sure doesn’t hurt to give a little bit of effort to reach the prize. Speaking of which…