Don't Drink and Dice

We bring you quick, useful and fun cooking inspiration each day from places we like from around the web, in 3 minutes or less.

Let’s get to it, clock’s tickin’!

Everyday Recipes

• Shepherd’s pie was not in my meal rotation as a kid and it always seemed like some sort of weird monstrosity to me. Aren’t mashed potatoes a side? Don’t you keep your peas in a specific area of your plate to be studiously avoided? Then a friend made a giant tray of this for dinner on a ski trip and I was converted. This version from Alton Brown’s “Reloaded” series is great. Make and eat, or pre-make and reheat if you have a crowd.

• I love negronis. I love spritzes. And I love the idea of batched cocktails so am sharing this Batched Negroni Spritz recipe from Food and Wine in hopes that it forces me to invite some people over and make it. Maybe it’ll come in handy for you as well as the holiday season swings into view.

Project Time

• The right bread is the foundation of any good sandwich. I can usually find a good Italian roll or French baguette when I need one, but while a good Banh Mi sandwich can have infinite variations you’re always looking for a very specific roll which isn’t in the stores where I live. This Banh Mi Bread recipe from Serious Eats offers a clear approach with a few tricks - squeeze of lime??? - to get it right.

• If you’re making your own Banh Mi at home you can do some work to go traditional - here’s a version Huy’s mom makes via Hungry Huy - and a fancy version from the Slanted Door folks in SF - or you can quick pickle some shredded carrots in rice vinegar, rinse some cilantro off, grab a few jalapeños and cucumber slices and then throw pretty much anything in. My friend Matt uses his leftover turkey after Thanksgiving. I make these whenever I have leftover pate. As long as your bread is good you can pretty much do whatever you like.

Something Fun (or Interesting)

• We’re gonna veer into educational territory today, but I take great joy in watching Jacques Pepin smash garlic. I’m clearly not the only one as this video has close to 1M views! The bit about two minutes in when he makes a puree with his knife is what made me want to learn to use a knife properly. At my house we call this Jacque’in it up. Watch, learn and enjoy.

Let us know what you tried (just reply)! More soon.

Your Salt Pig Pals

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