Tune in for Bizarre Foods: Cajun Country Aug. 15 at 9|8c on Travel Channel On this episode of Bizarre Foods, I’m traversing the heart of Acadiana, an untouched bastion of American history where centuries-old traditions remain a way of life. A region of swamps, bayous and gulf coast marshes, people in Cajun country still live… Read More →
Baltimore-style Country Club Crab Cakes By Andrew Zimmern This is my favorite crab cake recipe. If you don’t overmix and don’t pack your mounds too tightly, you will experience pure, unadulterated crab cake heaven. It’s a true Baltimore-style country club crab cake, without filler ingredients. I make these in double batches and put the leftovers… Read More →
Grilled Octopus with Frisee, Mustard Vinaigrette & Tomato-Pepper Sauce By Andrew Zimmern Octopus is delicious and easy to cook at home, trust me. It may seem intimidating, but I’m hoping this tutorial will encourage you to try it out. This is a set-it-and-forget-it type of meal. Once you’ve cooked the octopus, throw it on a… Read More →
French Dijon Mustard Vinaigrette By Andrew Zimmern Famed French chef Pierre Gagnaire taught me how to make his grandmother’s classic mustard vinaigrette while I was filming an episode of Bizarre Foods in his Paris restaurant. Make a big batch of the dressing base without cream and store it in the fridge to prolong its shelf… Read More →
Shuang Cheng Everyone knows a Chinese restaurant like this one, armed with an enormous 400-item menu that mostly caters to a Westerner’s palate. And while Shuang Cheng offers a dizzying variety of dishes, it defies the stereotype that quantity does not equal quality. I usually skip straight to the seafood page of the menu. If… Read More →
Tune in for Bizarre Foods: The Magnificent Mississippi River Aug. 8 at 9|8c on Travel Channel On this episode of Bizarre Foods, I had the pleasure of traveling from Memphis to Natchez by boat, and got a real taste of life on the Mississippi. This majestic river is a refuge for a slower-paced, nature-based way of… Read More →
Buttermilk Panna Cotta with Peppercorns & Mixed Berries By Andrew Zimmern Panna cotta, which literally means “cooked cream,” is an Italian custard-like chilled dessert with a luxurious, silky smooth texture. At its core, it’s a simple mixture of cream, sugar and gelatin. It’s not an egg-based custard, nor does it require a water bath or… Read More →
Bizarre Foods: Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Premieres Tuesday, August 1 at 9|8c on Travel Channel On this episode of Bizarre Foods, I’m following in the footsteps of famed frontiersman Daniel Boone, from colonial Virginia to the fertile lands of Kentucky. While visiting the re-constructed frontier fort at Martin’s Station, reeling in flathead catfish on the Kentucky… Read More →
Griddled Onion Burgers By Andrew Zimmern The first griddled onion burger I tried was made by chef Michael Symon on the set of The Chew—and it was a life changing experience. Last year I visited Sid’s Diner, an American classic in El Reno, Oklahoma famous for onion burgers, while filming Bizarre Foods. Equally delicious but… Read More →
Fried Chicken Summer Rolls with Peanut Dipping Sauce By Andrew Zimmern Served at room temperature or chilled and packed with lots of fresh herbs and crisp vegetables, summer rolls are perfect warm-weather food. They’re commonly filled with shrimp and roast pork, which I love, but more often than not, I’m craving these fried chicken summer… Read More →
Bizarre Foods Season Premiere Tuesday July 25, 9|8c on Travel Channel On the season premiere of Bizarre Foods, I’m headed to Texas to explore American cowboy life, past and present. The cowboy is the last great American icon, a romantic, rugged symbol of our frontier past. Camping along the Chisholm trail—the storied bovine highway that… Read More →
Grilled Rack of Lamb with Eggplant Salad & Bacon Fat Tortillas By Andrew Zimmern Grilling a rack of lamb may seem daunting, but it couldn’t be easier. Before you grill the lamb, make sure to cut as much surface fat as you can to avoid sooty flare-ups. In this recipe, I season the lamb with… Read More →
Key Lime Pie By Andrew Zimmern I’ve searched long and hard for the perfect Key lime pie recipe, and finally found one while filming in Florida from a fireman. The ratios are spot on and the custard turns out perfectly every time. Make this recipe with lemons, Meyer lemons, grapefruits, sour oranges… any citrus that is… Read More →
Cold Cucumber Soup with Yogurt & Dill By Andrew Zimmern This is a really simple Turkish cucumber and yogurt soup that only takes a few minutes to make. The technique couldn’t be easier, you’re basically blending a salad into a refreshing cold soup. I keep jars of this stuff in the fridge all summer long, it’s the… Read More →
Asopao with Chicken & Shrimp By Andrew Zimmern This asopao is true island-style Caribbean magic, an easy one-pot jambalaya to add to your weeknight dinner rotation. I’d suggest you follow the recipe the first couple times you make this dish, then feel free to customize it with whatever meat or seafood you have on hand.… Read More →
Lake Superior Shore Lunch By Andrew Zimmern Shore lunches and fish fries are classic Midwestern fare. Staying true to this recipe’s roots, I use Ritz Cracker bread crumbs to coat fresh filets of whitefish from the Great Lakes. Be sure to serve alongside my homemade tartar sauce and a heaping pile of classic coleslaw inspired by… Read More →
What is the best thing you ate while filming these episodes of Bizarre Foods? The classic fixins’ from the inside of the hog at Gerald Lemoine’s farm in Moreauville, Louisiana. They shoot a hog, clean all the entrails and collect the blood. The hog goes on the spit, split-open to be turned into their version of cochon… Read More →
3 New Ways to Spice Up Your Chicken Wings An essential element of game day festivities, chicken wings are practically sacred food in this country. They’re economical, easy to cook and extremely versatile. Here are three of my favorite ways to dress them up. One-Pot Sticky Chicken Wings I first discovered this recipe while in Penang,… Read More →
Fiery Chipotle Wings By Andrew Zimmern Chipotle chiles in adobo sauce give these crispy fried chicken wings a smoky, spicy kick.
Tangy Grilled Wings By Andrew Zimmern Glazed with a combination of apricot preserves, mustard and sherry vinegar, these grilled chicken wings have an irresistible sweet and tangy flavor.
Pot Roast 101 Pot roast is in heavy rotation at my house during the winter months. There is no better comfort food than wine-braised beef with heavily caramelized vegetables and a pile of potatoes. Follow along as I walk through the process of making perfect pot roast, from properly browning and braising the meat to… Read More →
Foolproof Fondue By Andrew Zimmern Made the traditional way with a mix of Swiss cheeses and white wine, this recipe couldn’t be any easier. I like to serve this dish with plenty of sliced sausage, roasted or blanched cauliflower, cubed crusty bread, and boiled and cooled potatoes.
Holiday Menu Inspiration The best part of the holiday season is the time spent in the kitchen cooking special meals for family and friends. Here, I’ve gathered a few of my favorite recipes for main courses that are sure to impress, from a centerpiece roast to indulgent beef stroganoff. Feeding a crowd? Try the ham… Read More →
My Best Hanukkah Recipes The Festival of Lights refers to a lamp in the temple that had only enough oil to last the Maccabees one night but instead lasted for eight. The holiday celebrates the miracle of the oil, so fried foods are the perfect Hanukkah metaphor. If you’re sick of latkes and donuts, think… Read More →
Juicy Fried Turkey with Crispy Skin By Andrew Zimmern I love fried turkey, but frying the whole bird isn’t a good idea. It’s dangerous, the outside gets overcooked before the inside is tender and the lengthy frying time means the turkey absorbs too much oil. I suggest you break down a turkey into its pieces, using… Read More →
Mind Blowing Thai Food at Soei Catch Andrew Zimmern’s Driven by Food: Bangkok, Tuesday August 23 at 9|8c on Travel Channel. Located along the railroad track in the Dusit neighborhood, Soei is my new favorite restaurant in Bangkok. Our meal at this casual, open-air restaurant simply blew me away. Nearly every single thing I ordered… Read More →
Andrew Zimmern’s Driven by Food kicks off in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday, August 16 at 9|8c on Travel Channel. In the series premiere, I’m visiting the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro to experience it like a real carioca, tapping into three local cab drivers to get a true feel for this bustling, diverse metropolis.… Read More →
Tia Lea’s Private Restaurant Traveling with a local has its perks, including a reservation at the most exclusive restaurant in town, Tia Lea’s. She runs a private restaurant out of her home in Rio de Janeiro, cooking for no more than 20 people at a time. The food is beyond amazing. And the view? One of… Read More →
Stir-Fried Crabmeat and Sweet Corn By Floyd Cardoz This quick stir-fry doesn’t need any accompaniment—it stands on its own beautifully. It can be served hot from the skillet, or you can chill the corn base and then fold in the crab and tarragon to serve as a satisfying salad. Spoon it into baked mini tart… Read More →
The Best Thing I Ate Last Week I had meals at some amazing places this week on my clam shack tour, but the best clams were at the Clam Box in Ipswich. Woodman’s was a close second, but the ones at Clam Box were perfect. It helped we went at 4pm when no one was there.… Read More →
