Photo: Svacher

When time is of the essence, making anything from scratch can be difficult. You don’t want to mess up but you want to make a delicious meal. Pasta is quick and easy and very versatile when it comes to adding flavors and ingredients. From something subtle like sliced garlic and olive oil to something classic like Bolognese sauce, pasta can withstand lots of different flavors. It’s easy to reach for boxed pasta, but making fresh pasta at home is much more rewarding. I strongly believe that once you have freshly made pasta, you will never go back to eating boxed pasta again. But what do you do when you don’t have a pasta machine at home? Easy! Break out the flour, eggs and homemade  sauce and  follow these 3 steps to making fresh pasta at home without a pasta machine.  Read More

Pasta nights can be had every day of the week.

I grew up eating family style. Whether at a restaurant or at home, forks were stabbed here, spoons scooped there and knives split the last roll. That way everyone got a taste. That way we were constantly engaged in the  dance of a meal. That’s why after working at Tre, an Italian restaurant in the Lower East Side, for 3 years I came to find the family meal (the meal served to the staff before service) was always my favorite part of the day. I looked forward to that big bowl of pasta and was always amazed at how the chef was able to toss that much in one pan. As everyone ate we would tell stories from the night before between perfectly al dente bites of rigatoni carbonara, or spaghetti bolognese. It was the calm before the storm. A time we could get out any of our last minute frustrations, and a time to strengthen the family bonds that made that restaurant ship sail so smoothly every night. Read More

Photos clockwise from top left: Sweet Potato Curry with Chicken and Bacon, Thai Green Curry Shrimp, Golden Thai Curry with Green Beans, Malaysian-Style Chicken and Chickpea Curry

Curry is a great meal idea if your looking to add more flavor to your dinner repertoire. What’s more, the leftovers are even tastier and make for the perfect next day lunch. The great thing about a curry is that you can use almost any meat, vegetable and/or starch your heart desires as they are merely the texture vehicle that the spice-filled gravy can shine on. Here we have for you 11 curry recipes that span from all over the globe. From India, to Thailand, Malaysia, to Marcus’ own roots in Ethiopia. So pick a place on the map, and enjoy the flavors they have to offer tonight! Read More

The hunt for something to eat for dinner is extremely exhausting. Especially if you dont have a lot of ingredients or time. Eggs are always in the fridge for breakfast, but you can also have eggs as a great and filling meal for dinner. Combined with meat, veggies, or as a hearty sandwich, eggs are a great versatile addition to solving dinner issues every night, and some of these recipes can also roll over into a brunch menu when friends come over. Here are 5 breakfast for dinner ideas.

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Fish Tacos

Looking for a way to spice things up tonight?!  Try one of these tasty taco recipes from vegetarian tofu tacos to meaty jerk chicken tacos. Whatever you are in the mood for, there is sure to be a recipe here for you. As a native Californian where this tradition is held in high regard, I find Taco Tuesday a perfect way to bring some fun into the week, and even an excuse to have a margarita or two!

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Photo: anthonycramp on flickr

If you don’t feel like planning a Fourth of July celebration this weekend, why not just leave it to the professionals this year? Head on over to some of the finest establishments in your city to help you out this Independence Day. Check out these great restaurants (some with good views of the fireworks!) that are having celebrations around the country. Read More

Congratulations to my colleague and friend Chef Daniel Boulud, and his entire team for the dinner with President Barack Obama last week. The menu sounded amazing, check it out below. Read More

With Red Rooster's Exec. Chef Michael Garrett, Herb Karlitz, and Alpine's Exec. Chef Nicholas Gatti

We had a great event last night at Alpine Country Club in New Jersey.  It’s always great to be in the kitchen with other chefs, to see how they do things, and to share tips and ideas.  The menu started with five passed hors d’oeuvres including Crab Cakes with Remoulade, Spiced Radishes on Black Bread, Country Biscuits topped with Country Ham, Chilled Spinach Soup with Tuna and Melon, and Jerk Bacon. Read More

Red Rooster was proud to host Mayor Bloomberg along with Halle Berry, Mariska Hargitay, and Ron Perelman for the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City Dinner in Support of the Family Justice Center Initiative. Read More