aj12754's Profile

From: Montclair, NJ USA

Joined: November 22nd, 2009

About me: I can't be the only person who starts thinking about what to cook next while I am doing the dishes for the meal I just finished eating ... right?

Favorite cookbook: I flirt with all of them. But I am a sucker for good writing and great pictures.

Favorite recipe: Pretty much any combo of good bread and great cheese.


Latest review:

June 20th, 2020

Slow-Roasted Tomatoes from One Good Dish

A dish that could not be simpler to make, and absolutely delicious. Topped the cooled tomato with a room temperature slice of mozzarella drizzled with EVOO and some ribbons of basil. A real treat. read more >


recipe reviews (696)
book reviews (39)
useful review votes (442)

aj12754's Reviews


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2 recipe(s) reviewed. Showing 1 to 2Sort by: Title | Date | Rating

Avec Eric: A Culinary Journey with Eric Ripert

By Eric Ripert
Wiley - 2010

This is such an easy but elegant dinner. It would be very nice for a mid-week celebration -- the spice-crusted duck is quick and tasty and the orange (I used clementines because I had a lot left over from another project) and honey glaze matched up perfectly with the spices (ground coriander, cumin, star anise, white pepper and bit of cayenne) on the duck. I actually made the glaze first (the recipe calls for cooking the duck first and then making the glaze in the same pan while the duck rests after cooking) and added some but not all of the duck fat to the sauce to finish it.

The cumin-scented baby carrots were so quick and delicious that I know I'll be serving them with many other dishes down the road. We decided on a Spanish rose with this since neither a red nor white whine seemed like a match with the flavors here, and we pleased with the pairing.

useful (3)  


Super easy and the clam/chorizo mix is a winner, but we found the pepper (1 tsp. ground) a little overwhelming and I used probably half to three-quarters of the amount called for by the recipe. Smaller clams are best for this, as the recipe states.

useful (0)