This past Saturday evening I was having a conversation with one of Tewksbury's finest and he happened to mention I haven't printed a recipe in a while. I inquired as to what he was looking for and he said, "well, my daughter’s a vegetarian, do have anything for a veggie lasagna. " Of course I do, but let me say this first, not all vegetarians are created equal. In today's crazy epicurean world we now have sub-species of vegetarian. There are the semi-vegetarians who may eat fish or perhaps chicken but no other fleshy meat. Then there's the ovo-vegetarian who will eat eggs but no flesh. Next …

Did you ever notice some people just have curious minds. You know the type, heads full of useless information. I must admit I'm one of them.  Indulge me for a moment if you will. I'm discussing plans for Easter Brunch at TCC with our chefs. The conversation led to barley and almond salad. Sounded Biblical to me. I think I wrote a piece on Biblical Foods a year or so ago, and that got me thinking, I wonder what Christ ate at the Last Supper? So here we are. Of course nobody knows for sure as none of us were there. The obvious reference book would be the Bible. I started there. I found out …

Isn't it funny how things come into vogue. Recently I have had a number of requests for Muscato wine. Now, historically Muscato was a cheap party wine, popular on college campuses and inner city barbeques. Nowadays most of your trendy establishments carry some type of Muscato. Made from the Muscat varietal this wine comes in a host of shades but the most popular is blush or pink. I recently sampled a few different brands (way to sweet for me) and it got me thinking.   I remember when I was a little squirt my Nana would always have a glass or two of Cold Duck on the holidays. The original …

Top o' the mornin' to ya and the rest of the day to myself. Sorry, just get ready for the original green holiday. Over here at TCC a lot of work goes into St. Paddy's Day. I know what you’re thinking, what's an Italian guy from the North Shore know about Paddy? Well, let me tell you this -- I, Robert Geraldo Antonio Leo Jr., personally make every loaf of Irish soda bread that is served with all our traditional Irish meals on St Paddy's day, and have for years. And each and every one of those years my counterpart Judy tells me the story of her old Irish Grandma and her green ceramic baking pan…

Just for the record, in the 50 or so years I've been placed on this earth, I have owned four dogs, Clover, Simba, Sasha, and Curly Q. I have owned seven cats, Salem, Willow, Peaches, Max, Kaiya, Nala, and Smokey. Smokey had a tumor on his front left leg and had to have an amputation. He adapted nicely with three legs and still maintained his good nature. For twenty-three of those fifty or so years years I have maintained a 55 gallon aquarium. I have owned anoles, hampsters and hermit crabs. I have a Russian Turtoise name Frank Sinatra ( he has a long skinny neck). Hence, I am very much aware …

I'm sure by now most of you have heard about the big horse meat scandal sweeping " the continent". It makes you wonder how long this has been going on and just what's in that Whopper you ate last week. And just why aren't horses eaten anyway? Our illustrious President Obama recently lifted a ban on FDA inspections of horse meat. This would now make butchering horses legal in the good ol' U.S. of A. In fact in many Asian and European countries horse is widely accepted as a food source. The top 8 horse meat producing countries butchered 4.7 million pounds last year. I'm not talking third world …

I happened to read that 96 million tons of potato chips were consumed on Super Bowl Sunday. I thought just how many chips do we go through a year ? and how many potatoes does that take?  Well I found the answer differs pending on what side of the junk food war you side with. What I did learn though, is potato chips make up 35 percent of the “snack food” category in all the English speaking countries. That’s not to say only English speaking people eat chips. The Japanese take chips to a whole new culinary level. Many seafood flavors, including seaweed and sea urchin are added to their potato …

With the Blizzard of '13 on the way, I stopped in to visit my parents who live in Lynn, fairly close to the Atlantic Ocean. Anybody who has ever lived near the coast knows how powerful and devastating coastal surges can be. Therefore, Nor’easters are a little more worrisome near the beach as opposed to other land locked areas.  My Mom was on her way to the market so I volunteered to give her a lift. Keep in mind my Mom and Dad are in their seventies and well into their empty nest years.  As I bagged up her groceries I had to chuckle at her selections.  Two cases of water , two loaves of bread…

Hello again my old friends. It's been awhile. I certainly appreciate the niceties and such that I have been receiving during my hiatus. Some family matters, as well as another project and of course the ever expanding Tewksbury Country Club have kept me sooooo busy.   I ran into editor extrordinaire Bill Gilman the other day and well here I am. It actually came at a good time because I have something important to say, " WHAT THE HELL'S GOING ON WITH CHICKEN WINGS!".   Back in the 80's, chicken wings were a byproduct of the huge demand for chicken breasts. As science became more dissecting, the…

What is more romantic than a quiet night with your best girl ( or guy ) and a bottle of your favorite bubbly?   Right away you thought champagne, didn't you? Well all that sparkles isn't French. Certainly the Champagne region of France produces the most famous and some of the finest sparkling wines in the world. Many other countries produce very good sparklers. Espumantes from Portugal, Spanish cavas, pezsgo from Hungary, German sekt, and plethora of Italian wines are most definitely worthy of an intimate evening. Champagne is only one of many French sparkling wines and Italy produces asti, …

Ok,I don't know about you but I've had it up to the proverbial HERE with all this Super Bowl hype! Brady vs. Manning , Bellicheck vs. Coughlin, yada yada yada.   Let the games begin!!!   I've got a nice venison roast (Thanks Stan Folta), I've got some jumbo homemade Italian sausages (Thanks Frank Cardilli) and I'm picking up my premium Perdue chicken wings on Saturday.   Meat, beer and football, what more could a guy ask for (watch yourself).   As a rule I generally keep my favorite recipes to myself and certainly I am bound by honor not to reveal any TCC secrets, but in light of the upcoming…

They say that truth is stranger than fiction. Whoever they are couldn't be more right. A few nights ago some of my restaurant buddies threw a card game. Now these guys are all restaurant rats and between the six of us, we've amassed close to 150 years in the business. At one point or another most of us have worked with each other here or there. We seldom get together but when we do the stories flow faster than the beer. This one's a classic. My friend Smiley manages a busy seafood and roast beef restaurant on Rt. 1 in Saugus.  A few weeks ago a very attractive young woman came in and ordered …

Now that it seems like winter has finally arrived, couldn't you go for a nice steamy bowl of your favorite chicken soup? I love soup in the winter -- it's hearty, nutritious, and delicious. Chicken soup is my favorite.   I found at least 20 different countries with there own spin on chicken soup, some sweet, some sour, some creamy, some spicy, etc. etc.. The oldest recipe I came across dates back to the 12th century. It was said to have been created by a physician and Rabbi named Maimonide. He created it for it's health benefits and as a means to feed the poor and poverty stricken Israelites…

In case any of you are curious, yes, I am sticking to my New Year's resolution. I think the healthy eating is the easiest part. like I said if your hungry eat, but eat the good stuff not the junk. I am slowly working myself into a light exercise program. When your my age you gotta take it slow. A lot of folks have asked, what about alcohol? What's the best thing to drink? Honestly, the best thing is not to drink.   Now I understand that in most cultures life revolves around alcohol. Sunday football game, let's tailgate.  Niece’s wedding, have a champagne. Meet you after work for a cocktail? …

I certainly hope you all had a holiday as wonderful as mine, but now that the eat, drink, and be merry is winding down, it's time to think of those New Year resolutions. If you're anything like me, you will resolve to lose those extra pounds and live a healthier lifestyle. This would be my 32nd year in a row and one of these years might actually get it right. Seriously, my waste line has fluctuated more than the Dow Jones over the years.   In my business losing weight is a very difficult endeavor. Not that it can't be done. Two summers ago I lost over 40 pounds, of course I found them and a …

T’was the day before Christmas And all through the club People were eating steak schrod and chicken parm sub   Most patrons were merry And filled with such glee They drank at the bar And watched golf on TV   Last minute shoppers Were buying gift cards, The line was so long At least twenty yards   Then all of a sudden Out back on the green We heard a loud whir From a flying machine   We ran to the window To see such a sight Marc Ginsburg returned From a cold Arctic flight   He had old Saint Nick Squished in his seat It was the big night He needed a treat   He ordered the nachos The lobster and…

Just the other day at work, a group of very charming women asked me if we had any Holiday drinks. I went behind the bar and grabbed our Holiday Spirits menu. As I returned to the table I perused the list, Ribbon Candy Martini, Terry's Merry Mint, The Grinch, Five Golden Rings, I had to chuckle to myself. When I arrive back at the table the ladies asked what I suggested. While my lips were saying something like the Mistletini is delicious, my mind was thinking , bourbon , on the rocks , splash of water.   Now I started drinking bourbon (moderately) around the time of the first Gulf War. I was …

Last week I attempted to expound a little Thanksgiving history for your reading pleasure. I'm sure most of you know by now I am a bit of a history buff. This week I would like to share some little known " turkey trivia ", so pay attention all you toms and hens.   Did you know Ben Franklin actually nominated the turkey as America's symbol. Ben had a disdain for the eagles aggressive nature,  scavenger tendencies, and violent disposition toward weaker, smaller species. Ben lost out and in 1863 after Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a National Holiday, Alexander Hamilton stated, "no person shall …

Have you ever seen the late Billy Maes hawking the chop-o-matic? Or how about Ronco's set it and forget? The Magic Bullet ? Jack Lalane juicing it? Kitchen gadgets are a multi-billion-dollar industry. Every one is in such a rush. Chop it faster, dice it, slice it, whip it. Bam, bam, bam! Honestly, a real chef needs three knives, a slicer, a chopper, and a parer, to do just about any job needed in the kitchen. So why all the gadgets? First of all, most people aren't real chefs. Secondly, most people ARE gullible. If you think its bad at home, you should see the crazy inventions the restaurant …