This time last year, all of us were looking forward to 2020. Maybe you had some personal goals that you saw in reach or some professional endeavors you wanted to pursue. Little did we know that shortly after we were to ring in 2020 that life as we knew it […]
By Chef Vincent Tropepe Ingredients 3/4 cup dark brown sugar 2 large eggs 1/3 cup neutral oil, like canola or grapeseed 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 2 small apples, peeled, cored, and chopped into 1/4- to 1/2-inch pieces (about 2 cups) 1/2 cup toasted walnuts, chopped 1 tablespoon whiskey, optional 1/2 teaspoon instant espresso powder, optional Procedure Position a rack […]
By Chef Vincent Tropepe Ingredients: 2 tablespoons sugar 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice 2 tablespoons maple syrup Six 4 to 5-inch long cinnamon sticks, for garnish 6 pumpkin candies, for garnish, such as Brach’s 1 bottle white wine, chilled 3 cups mango peach juice blend or tropical juice blend, chilled, […]
By Chef Vincent Tropepe When people think of Philadelphia and the Philly Cheesesteak they automatically think of Geno’s or Pat’s, as they are long time Philly cheesesteak competitors within walking distance of each other. To some Tony Luke’s is another cheesesteak icon. If you are a Philadelphia resident, it is […]
By Chef Vincent Tropepe Potato Leek Au Gratin Ingredients 4 Tbsp Butter 1 1/2 cups Whole milk 1 cup Heavy cream 3 Large garlic cloves finely chopped 1 Tbsp Stone ground mustard 1/4 tsp Freshly grated nutmeg 3/4 Tbsp Kosher salt 1 tsp Freshly ground pepper 2 oz Blue cheese […]
By Chef Vincent Tropepe CRANBERRY GOAT CHEESE TRUFFLES Ingredients 6 ounces plain goat cheese softened for an hour at room temperature 4 ounces cream cheese softened for an hour at room temperature ¾ cup chopped pecans 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil 1 teaspoon honey ½ teaspoon Sriracha ¼ teaspoon kosher salt 2 tablespoons currants* 2 tablespoons dried cranberries* 2 tablespoons golden raisins* 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley Instructions […]
By Chef Vincent Tropepe 1. Position the Wings Tuck the wing tips behind the shoulders to lock them into place and protect them from scorching. The positioning of the wings also helps stabilize the bird on a platter. Next. You’ll tie the ankles of the legs together to cover the […]
By Chef Vincent Tropepe Whether it’s as a drink or in a treat, hot chocolate is a staple of the holiday season. Auntie Anne’s  has its own take on the sip with the Hot Chocolate Frost. Just a heads up: It’s not hot. The frosty drink is made up of frozen hot chocolate that’s topped […]
By Chef Vincent Tropepe Ingredients 1 cup Apple cider vinegar, unfiltered 1 cupBrown sugar 1/2 tspGround cloves 2Cinnamon sticks 10Dried figs, chopped 12 oz bagFresh cranberries 1Small jalapeno, seeded, minced (roughly 2 tablespoons) 3/4 cupApple, peeled, cored and diced In a heavy sauce pan set over medium-high heat, bring the […]
By Chef Vincent Tropepe Decorating the Christmas tree just got a little better for this year because Costco is back with another impressive buy that booze lovers will be running to grab. Though the mini hot chocolate to go ornaments became fan favorites when spotted, the beloved wholesale chain has a new […]
By Chef Vincent Tropepe ½ cup unsalted butter 2 tablespoons olive oil 4 cups sliced onions 4 (10.5 ounce) cans beef broth 2 tablespoons dry sherry 1 teaspoon dried thyme salt and pepper to taste 4 slices French bread 4 slices provolone cheese 2 slices Swiss cheese, diced ¼ cup […]
By Chef Vincent Tropepe I have been to Jersey City, many times and for a period of time I used to live there and I miss it dearly. It’s the reason why I visit frequently. For some time now I have heard of a cookie place called “Bang Cookies”. On […]
By Chef Vincent Tropepe Whether it’s Dunkin’ Donut with the meatless breakfast sausage or Burger King with the Impossible Whopper or any other large fast food brand, plant based offers, I knew it was only a matter of time that McDonald’s jumped on the plant based band wagon. The company […]
By Chef Vincent Tropepe 1 tablespoon canola oil 1 tablespoon unsalted butter ½ cup diced onion ¾ cup diced carrots 4 cups peeled and cubed butternut squash 3 cups vegetable stock salt and ground black pepper to taste ground nutmeg to taste ½ cup heavy cream Step 1 Heat the […]
By Chef Vincent Tropepe Babka was developed in the Jewish communities of Eastern Europe in the early 19th century. Extra challah dough was rolled up with fruit jams, cinnamon and soft spreadable cheese and baked as a loaf alongside the challah. Chocolate was not originally used as a variety because […]
By Chef Vincent Tropepe Detroit style pizza was developed in 1946 at a food service establishment called Buddy’s Rendezvous and was owned by Gus and Anna Guerra. Sources disagree whether the original Sicilian style recipe was based off of Anna’s mother’s recipe for sfincione. Sfincione is the Italian phrase for […]
By Chef Vincent Tropepe INGREDIENTS FOR THE DRINK 3 ounces 2 shot glasses good quality vodka 3 ounces 2 shot glasses pumpkin spice creamer 1.5 ounces 1 shot glass Kahlua Whipped Cream and pumpkin pie spice for garnish FOR THE RIM 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice 1 teaspoon sugar or sparkling sugar 3 tablespoons crushed graham crackers INSTRUCTIONS Mix the ingredients for […]
By Chef Vincent Tropepe Caffe Reggio opened it’s doors in 1927, where it still stands today at 119 MacDougal Street in the heart of New York City’s Greenwich Village. The Italian cappuccino was introduced to America by the founder of Caffe Reggio a man by the name of Domenico Parisi, in […]
Here is a delicious and fantastic way to use all those Twix bars you have left over from Halloween. Ingredients 1¼ cups graham cracker crumbs 5 T. butter 5 T. sugar Cheesecake 24 ounces soft cream cheese 1 cup sugar 3T. flour 1 c. sour cream 4 eggs 1 tsp. […]
Ingredients 1/2 cup granny smith apple and/or delicious red apple cut into cubes 2 tablespoons lime juice 3-4 mint leaves, torn 1 1/2 ounces white rum 1/2 cup apple cider 1 teaspoon granulated sugar ice club soda lime wheels and mint springs for garnish Instructions Place mint leaves, sugar and […]