Bloody peasants

The bloody peasants might get King Arthur's goat (if you don't know, don't ask-just go watch Holy Grail), but they sure can cook. We've been making some simple peasant dishes here at the pseudo-autonomous collective lately. Lots of braising going on around here. That's a good thing, because it gives us lots of time to harvest the filth and debate the relative merits of various political systems.

BTW: Have you ever had an epiphany? You know; one of those moments where a shocking bit of self-awareness gob-smacks your ass. Yeah, I just had one of those. I came to the realization that I act a lot like Dennis, the constitutional peasant, in Holy Grail. Ask me who lives in the local castle and I'm likely to launch into some sort of political diatribe. It's a good thing that I'm right all the time; otherwise I would just be some insufferable tool.

Once again, I have mined the fertile ground of Food Wishes for Chef John's incredible recipes.

Cabbage rolls

This is the first time I've ever tried making cabbage rolls. I must say, I was pleasantly surprised. I thought that the cabbage rolls would be bland and unexciting, but they were very tasty.

From The Hollow Leg Diner - images

From The Hollow Leg Diner - images

Not very pretty, but yummy as all get-out.


Ricotta meatballs

From The Hollow Leg Diner - images

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Awesome meatballs made with ground beef, pork and ricotta cheese; served on top of fettuccini and squash


Chicken D'Arduini The most awesome chicken recipe ever! You have got to make this recipe. Don't be scared off by the anchovies; they're goooooooood.

From The Hollow Leg Diner - images

The giant, kickass Italian family meal

My sister, Lori, her daughter, Kaitlyn, and her boyfriend, Martell, stopped by for a chance at the Gaxiola food lottery. Yahtzee!!! Everybody is a winner. Free food for life.....all in one meal. On one plate, we've got spinach-sausage lasagna, cabbage rolls, chicken D'Arduini and mixed vegetables.

From The Hollow Leg Diner - images

Yeah, I know my presentation and plating skills suck, but it was good. Just shut up and eat.

From The Hollow Leg Diner - images

There's more food on that plate than that kid has seen in the last year. She was a real trooper and finished at least a quarter of her food.

From The Hollow Leg Diner - images

At least Martell appreciated the rather large portion sizes. Maybe the daily football practice has something to do with that.

From The Hollow Leg Diner - images

A happy diner


Braised beef shanks - the ultimate comfort food

I found some nice beef shanks at North Gate, so I decided to try another of Chef John's recipes.

From The Hollow Leg Diner - images

From The Hollow Leg Diner - images

I doesn't get much better.