http://niammy.com/poisonberriesenhttps://niammy.com/poisonberries/recipe/america-s-most-wanted-1979https://niammy.com/poisonberries/recipe/america-s-most-wanted-1979 I love my Mom. Even when we lived six thousand miles apart we still talked once a week.  I really just kept in touch so she would send me cookies or homemade jerky, but don’t tell her that.Not only is she my Mom, but she is a pretty fair cook as well.  (I will not however, go into her infamous hot dogs in lime jello fiasco from 1967). She also has the fastest hands I’ve ever seen in fast-food ...Wed, 19 Jun 2019 18:34:51 +0000https://niammy.com/poisonberries/recipe/bigfoot-meatloaf-1967https://niammy.com/poisonberries/recipe/bigfoot-meatloaf-1967    As a big game hunter, I have taken it upon myself to track and capture the phantom Bigfoot that everybody's talking about. You know, that damned dirty ape with the stinking paws who wanders the countryside.  And boy, hunting the legendary Bigfoot sure works up an appetite.    During my quest to capture the elusive North American Yeti, I have traversed hundreds of acres of wilderness, severa...Wed, 08 May 2019 16:55:13 +0000https://niammy.com/poisonberries/recipe/mariachi-pizza-juan-in-a-million-1966https://niammy.com/poisonberries/recipe/mariachi-pizza-juan-in-a-million-1966    So it’s another Saturday night, nothing to do, and I turn on Telemundo TV to watch the Mexican version of “The Bachelor”.  Only it’s not called “The Bachelor” on Mexican TV, it’s called “Pico de Gallo”.    Anyway, there’s Julio standing in front of twenty-five aesthetically pleasing  senoritas.  He sipped on a Vodka Martinez as he took in the scenery.  Talk about Cinco de Mayo!  &...Mon, 08 Apr 2019 15:41:49 +0000https://niammy.com/poisonberries/recipe/granny-sweet-tater-1964https://niammy.com/poisonberries/recipe/granny-sweet-tater-1964Ah, the Grandmother.  An institution since the beginning of time. I think the first Grandmother was Eve, but that's another story.She goes by many names.  Granny, Big Momma, MawMaw, YaYa, Geema, Noona or Baba.I call mine Nana, as in when I call her up and say, "Hey Nana, the tires on my Honda Civic need rotating, can you come over and give me a hand?"  Or, "Hey Nana, My gutters need cleaning, c...Tue, 02 Apr 2019 19:06:51 +0000https://niammy.com/poisonberries/recipe/there-s-always-room-for-jello-psychiatric-help-1947https://niammy.com/poisonberries/recipe/there-s-always-room-for-jello-psychiatric-help-1947     Many of us have experienced traumatic moments in our lives that have scarred us for life.Perhaps it was a sudden tragic death in the family.  The uneasiness of divorce or an unexpected encounter with a rabid raccoon. Maybe a pregnancy scare or even a trip to the principal’s office. In any case they could be lasting scars that haunt us throughout our lives.      My personal Achilles heel ha...Fri, 01 Mar 2019 17:50:02 +0000https://niammy.com/poisonberries/recipe/citrus-shrimp-and-string-bikinis-1936https://niammy.com/poisonberries/recipe/citrus-shrimp-and-string-bikinis-1936 Two things come to mind when I think of the Florida Panhandle along the Gulf Coast.Citrus and shrimp.Well, actually three things come to mind, college girls in string bikinis is the other one but that's a different story for a different blog.Ursula and I enjoy this dinner after a hard day at the beach. Easy to do, very little prep, just open a bottle of Corona, sit down and enjoy. Wed, 09 May 2018 20:38:51 +0000https://niammy.com/poisonberries/recipe/gimme-some-lovin-1935https://niammy.com/poisonberries/recipe/gimme-some-lovin-1935 Got home from work last night and Ursula was sitting on the couch watching Wheel of Fortune and the Cubs were on next.Now I know better than to say anything while she’s watching the Wheel or the Cubs. Whenever I do she always says, “Shut up I’m trying to watch this.”  She then holds up her empty glass signaling that she needs another Captain and Diet Sierra Mist.Anyhoo, I got busy on dinner an...Thu, 19 Apr 2018 18:21:50 +0000https://niammy.com/poisonberries/recipe/put-some-mussel-in-it-1933https://niammy.com/poisonberries/recipe/put-some-mussel-in-it-1933 After I’m done with a Sunday afternoon of Pontius Pilates at the gym, I go home, shower and put on my favorite muscle shirt.  You know, the shirt that says, “These Guns don’t Belong in any Holster”  That shirt is a chick magnet. Anyway.  This bowl of Pasta and Mussel goodness is like deadlifting a twenty-five pound barbell.  It’s easy to do, yet brings instant gratification.I prefer fresh muss...Wed, 21 Mar 2018 19:10:03 +0000https://niammy.com/poisonberries/recipe/the-flying-dutchman-1932https://niammy.com/poisonberries/recipe/the-flying-dutchman-1932 I'm still on Cloud 9, (Or maybe it's Planet 9) over the recent Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea.  Glad I don't have to pronounce that again!Anyhoo, I fell in love with Women's Curling and of course, Ice Dancing.  That Japanese Sumo wrestler left me breathless with his signature move, The Flying Dutchman. He dazzled the arena with his effortless grace. He didn't skate so much as he f...Mon, 12 Mar 2018 18:48:26 +0000https://niammy.com/poisonberries/recipe/america-s-most-influential-burger-1930https://niammy.com/poisonberries/recipe/america-s-most-influential-burger-1930 Nothing aggravates me more than sitting in my VW bus in a drive-thru lane at the local fast food joint. Especially when the needle on the gas gauge is in the red. I have nightmares of running out of gas in a drive-thru line of forty vehicles or so. When I finally get up to the speaker, the pressure is on. The speaker is set smack dab in the middle of the menu and I forgot my glasses. The voice...Mon, 26 Feb 2018 18:21:09 +0000https://niammy.com/poisonberries/recipe/let-s-make-beef-stew-fun-again-1929https://niammy.com/poisonberries/recipe/let-s-make-beef-stew-fun-again-1929Imagine this if you will…A brutally cold night outside.  Snowflakes swirling, wind howling and you inside with your sweetheart and the dog.The fireplace is roaring, she is holding you tight and a romantic movie is on the DVR.Yeah sure, I imagine that too, but I don’t have a fireplace or a dog, the DVD player is broken and I don’t have a sweetheart since Ursula left me for that Bolivian squash p...Fri, 23 Feb 2018 18:10:16 +0000https://niammy.com/poisonberries/recipe/hungarican-stir-fry-1928https://niammy.com/poisonberries/recipe/hungarican-stir-fry-1928Growing up of Jewish and Japanese heritage I'm no stranger to multi-cultural cuisine.  Likewise for my girlfriend Ursula who is Polish and Hawaiian.  So when my femme fatal and I get into the kitchen together the world stands up and takes notice.This dish is quick and easy and Ursula and I make it to pay homage to my Hungarian grandfather and her Puerto Rican grandmother.Hence the name of the d...Mon, 19 Feb 2018 20:06:42 +0000https://niammy.com/poisonberries/recipe/it-s-the-real-thing-1923https://niammy.com/poisonberries/recipe/it-s-the-real-thing-1923  I don’t know who came up with this, but sir or madam, I applaud you.  You definitely had too much time on your hands, but I applaud you nonetheless. My favorite soft drink and the saltiness of peanuts.Legend has it that this unique pairing goes as far back as the 1920’s. It’s a Southern thing, those dumb Yankees up north have never heard of it, but I’m betting farmers in most likely Georgia d...Thu, 25 Jan 2018 20:08:58 +0000https://niammy.com/poisonberries/recipe/steak-out-1920https://niammy.com/poisonberries/recipe/steak-out-1920Pay attention because there's a lot at steak here.  If you don't, rarely will you ever see a hunk of meat so well done.I don't ask for much in life. A hot cup of coffee, a good cigar, a smooth bourbon and a nice steak.  So I figured why not combine these simple pleasure is my life all into one great steak.  Except the cigar.The marinade can be done up to 24 hours ahead if kept in the fridge.I h...Tue, 09 Jan 2018 18:56:28 +0000https://niammy.com/poisonberries/recipe/merry-new-year-1919https://niammy.com/poisonberries/recipe/merry-new-year-1919Another New Years has come and gone.  Not making any resolutions this year, just gonna look back and remember the people that did me wrong and get revenge.  I could order a hit on them and have them whacked, ruin them financially or steal their girlfriend, it doesn't matter.But for those of you who are traditionalists, here's a dish I whipped up before football on New Year's Day that combines a...Wed, 03 Jan 2018 18:04:35 +0000https://niammy.com/poisonberries/recipe/a-pishnery-family-christmas-1916https://niammy.com/poisonberries/recipe/a-pishnery-family-christmas-1916  Another Christmas upon us.In years past the entire clan shows up at our humble abode and we celebrate as a family.  And after the opening of presents and a festful dinner everyone kinda sits around and enjoys each other’s company.Then it’s time for Ma to emerge from the kitchen and take orders for after dinner coffee.First, there has always been Aunt Maria, or Tia Maria as we call her.  Her o...Thu, 07 Dec 2017 21:12:15 +0000https://niammy.com/poisonberries/recipe/sorry-i-don-t-speak-mandarin-1910https://niammy.com/poisonberries/recipe/sorry-i-don-t-speak-mandarin-1910So I used to work at an orange juice factory, but I got fired because I lost my concentration.  Orange y'all glad I didn't start this recipe off with a stupid joke about oranges?Anyhoo, when I think of oranges I think of chicken.  And when I think of chicken I think of snow peas, white rice and black beans.  Don't ask me why, it's just how I roll.Easy, quick and tasty, I give you Mandarin Orang...Mon, 23 Oct 2017 18:55:45 +0000https://niammy.com/poisonberries/recipe/hot-tuna-1861https://niammy.com/poisonberries/recipe/hot-tuna-1861If I've learned one thing about juggling music and a culinary career, it's this.You can tune a piano but you can't tuna fish.I can hear the groans already.  This is a nice, lite easy to do summer time dish for all the buoys and gulls out there.  Serve with some crusty bread and pig out. Remember, when looking for a nice cool easy summertime dinner, any fin is possible. Mon, 26 Jun 2017 18:26:18 +0000https://niammy.com/poisonberries/recipe/wanna-be-a-man-1859https://niammy.com/poisonberries/recipe/wanna-be-a-man-1859ManFriesWhat is manliness? Is it a chiseled body that women drool over and other men wish they had?Is it that new body spray that drives the chicks wild?Can it be caring and sensitivity while still being a sexual dynamo?Sorry, none of the above. Want to be a man? Then eat like one.These fries are a combination of nachos, poutines and good old fashioned backyard BBQ and they’re easy to do. Wed, 21 Jun 2017 18:18:17 +0000https://niammy.com/poisonberries/recipe/langostino-kebabs-over-black-beans-rice-w-grilled-orange-sections-1853https://niammy.com/poisonberries/recipe/langostino-kebabs-over-black-beans-rice-w-grilled-orange-sections-1853 Wed, 14 Jun 2017 19:10:12 +0000