Many of you probably noticed about a week ago that the overall look of this website changed. Today I finally completed all the updates and I’m happy to present to you, the new Chef Tom Cooks blog. The new layout is clean, easier to read and faster loading. As always, I welcome and encourage any feedback you all might have.…

So far, this winter has been brutal!  Between the back to back snow storms and the frigid cold, it has been hard to catch a break.  Last week, I decided to make some spicy vegetable chili in my slow cooker.  I figured that would help warm me up.  Any for you meat-lovers, you can easily add beef or turkey, etc.…

This is my favorite sauce to use with chicken fingers!

2/3 cup honey 1/4 cup water 1/4 cup ketchup 1/4 cup barbecue sauce 1 tablespoon white vinegar 2 teaspoons minced chipotle chile peppers (from can) 1/2 teaspoon salt

Combine all of the ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat. Mix well and let come to a boil. Then, reduce heat and…

If you live in the greater NY, LA or San Francisco areas, you can apply to host a Cascal Holiday Celebration for you and 10-15 friends. Hosts will receive (5) 4-packs of Cascal to share with guests, plus the Seasons & Celebrations cookbook. Just pick a date for your party between Dec. 23rd, 2010 through Jan. 8th, 2011 and apply now…

Garlic Bread: 1 loaf French baguette 8-10 cloves garlic, minced 4 tablespoons olive oil salt, to taste

Topping: 4 tomatoes, diced 1/2 red onion, diced 1 cup pomegranate arils 1 green chili pepper, seeded and diced handful of parsley, chopped handful of mint, chopped 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar 2 teaspoons pomegranate molasses 1 tablespoon olive oil salt, to taste

Preheat the oven…

1 pound ground chuck beef
4 ounces Italian seasoned bread crumbs
4 eggs
4 ounces whole milk
6 ounces grated Pecorino-Romano
3 ounces grated onion
2 ounces minced garlic
1 tablespoon finely chopped Italian parsley leaves
1 tablespoon basil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a baking sheet with olive oil. Mix all ingredients thoroughly in large bowl. If mixture is too wet, add more bread crumbs.

Roll meatballs…

I probably haven’t made chili since last winter, but I saw my slow cooker the other day and figured it was time to make a batch. In the past, I have always slow simmered my chili on the stove top, but I decided to try it in the slow cooker this time. It came out great!

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups…

Last Friday after work, Katie and I decided to make a batch of Hummus with pita bread. As we got to work we decided to add a couple twists to the standard recipe. We ended up with 3 different kinds of hummus along with fried and un-fried pita wedges.

4 garlic cloves, minced
2 (15-oz) cans of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
2/3 cup…

This recipe is so simple, but when you are using fresh corn, the flavor is wonderful. I also don’t like eating my corn off the cob, so I prefer to cut it off before eating.

4 ears fresh corn
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 tablespoon water
salt, to taste
fresh cracked black pepper, to taste

Using a knife, carefully cut the corn kernels from the cob. Place…

4 New York strip or rib eye steaks (8 ounces each and 1 1/4 inches thick)
10 garlic gloves
1 1/2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon pepper

In a small bowl, mash garlic with salt to form a paste. Add the oil, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and pepper; mix well.
Grill the steaks over medium-hot coats, turning…