I muttered this question to myself as I clicked through reviews of nearby restaurants and markets in my little neighborhood of Fox Point, Providence. There are a lot of places boasting authentic Portuguese cuisine, along with bread and pastry or a wide variety of madeira. While I miss so much about living in Washington, D.C., Providence has surpassed my expectations related to food offerings. One of the greatest surprises has been getting to know Portuguese cuisine, and seeing how embedded this culture is within the area. Immigrants from Portugal heavily settled Fox Point at the beginning of the 20th century, drawn here for manufacturing and waterfront employment opportunities. I recently learned that thirty-two percent of residents claim Portuguese ancestry in our neighborhood.

December 8, 2016December 9, 2016 by KD

Cassoulet-Style Sausage and Beans

Guys. It’s pretty cold out, huh? The idea of eating a salad or a little sandwich for dinner is just… no. We need something filling, meaty, warming, and comforting as the days continue to get shorter. Does a dish with beans, sausage AND BACON sound good to you? Then read on.

December 6, 2016December 7, 2016 by KD

How To Make A Simple Burger

Cooking for multiple people is always challenging, especially if some diners are picky eaters. But no matter who’s sitting at your table, I bet they can appreciate a good burger! Today we are going to look at the easiest way to make a burger that will satisfy picky and adventurous eaters alike, and we’ll also conduct an experiment on the best additives to ensure your burgers are juicy and flavorful.

November 29, 2016December 1, 2016 by KD

The Best Small Appliances

What is the one kitchen appliance that you can’t live without? Not the big ones, like refrigerators or dishwashers, nor stoves or common items like microwaves. What about the smaller things that *ahem* would be nice little gifts for the holidays? Today we’ll talk about a few indispensable appliances that live in my kitchen, and I will have some brand recommendations if you’re looking to stock yours. The best part is that each of these kitchen appliances cost under $100.

Read more “The Best Small Appliances” →

November 22, 2016May 1, 2017 by KD

Thanksgiving Side Recipes to Up Your Potluck Game

Thanksgiving is like the Holy Grail of holidays for an enthusiastic home cook. If you find yourself in the kitchen cooking for a large group, you may be facing a mixed bag of emotions: apprehension, excitement, inspiration, anxiety… and that’s just how you feel about the turkey. Even if you’re not catering a whole meal, you may be asked to bring a dish to dinner. This year, the Cursory Cook has got you covered with some suggested side dishes that are the perfect mix of traditional and unique. All of them take less than one hour to prepare, and are full of ingredients that should be easy to find last minute!

November 17, 2016July 11, 2017 by KD

What Time is It? Shrimp Time

Shrimps, prawns, wriggly meats of the sea. Some people hate ’em, but most of us love ’em. Today we are going to talk about how to purchase and prepare shrimp in a variety of ways, so you can integrate this healthy protein, full of good cholesterol, into your diet.

November 15, 2016November 16, 2016 by KD

Brussels Sprouts!

Has there ever been a vegetable with a worse name than Brussels sprouts? For one, why is “Brussels” not possessive? Must the “b” be capitalized? Let’s just decide, here and now, that no it does not. And if you have been misspelling it “brussel sprouts” for years upon years, I sympathize. But don’t let the grammatically frustrating name dissuade you from embracing this rich, adaptable vegetable in your diet.

Leftover Magic

For some reason, leftovers get a really bad rap. Many of us are just not aware of the proper way to store and utilize leftover food. Well, let’s remedy that! Today I’m writing about tips for making some leftover magic happen in your kitchen, saving you time, money, and preventing food waste.

An Autumn Feast

Leaves a-changing? Pumpkins a-glowing? A chill in the air? Check, check, check. Before our feasting tables are overtaken by Halloween candy and Thanksgiving trimmings, let’s celebrate this quiet mid-autumn period. Below you’ll find recipes for a hearty meal bursting with seasonal produce and fall-time flavors, a perfect for the menu this weekend…

Pumpkin Scones

You know what we don’t eat enough of at breakfast time? Dessert. Let us remedy this dire situation with a quick and easy recipe for scones, with a seasonal twist to boot. These pumpkin scones are moist and crumbly, buttery and spiced, and absolutely perfect with a tall mug of hot coffee.

Roasting 101

So, kid, you wanna know about roasting? This isn’t just some arbitrary step in a recipe. This is the real deal, a technique you can master to make infinite meals out of any meat or veggie. Roasting may look easy as pie, but just like pie, it’s not all that easy. What a misleading idiom.

the cursory cook.

What Is Portuguese Cuisine?