Stone Fruit Crisp with Brown Sugar Cream - With summer fading and fall seemingly upon us come Labor Day weekend, that means one thing, and one thing only, FOOTBALL! All that being said, I wanted to provide a firehouse recipe that only requires 15 minutes prep time and an hour in the oven, all the more time to watch your beloved team in action. Thank me later. In this episode we discuss browning butter, coarse sand, and the importance of being 10% smarter. For more, including the recipe, visit www.thefirehousechef.com.

Key Lime Pie - With a holiday near and dear to my heart, I felt it prudent to slip out of semi-retirement to bring to y'all a perfectly suited dessert for the under-the-sun gatherings of this 4th of July weekend, KEY LIME PIE! This citrus classic is perfectly suited for transport to the next firehouse, deck party, pool side or cul-de-sac and thankfully, can be made a day ahead. In this episode, we discuss ziploc bags, pie shells, and making the world move. For more, including the recipe, please visit www.thefirehousechef.com

Beef & Chorizo Empanadas - With Cinco de Mayo upon us, it is finally an occasion to express my love for the culture and cuisine of Mexico. I felt it prudent to bring a not so often consumed empanada its due time. It's the perfect pocket of well seasoned filling and I top it with an Ancho Cheese Bechamel. In this episode we discuss heat levels, chorizo innards and that perfectly pronounced Spanish is boring. For more, including the recipe, please visit www.thefirehousechef.com.

Warm Mustard Potato Salad - With Spring officially here, it was high time I share a porch free recipe with y'all. One caveat, there's no mayo. But that's the good news, as EVOO, whole grain mustard and fresh greens doesn't allow you to miss it. In this episode we discuss steaming, green bean alternatives and audio is terrible in a sub. For more, including the recipe, please visit www.thefirehousechef.com.

Raspberry Mint Lava Cakes - What happens when I realize that I haven't had a recipe were chocolate is the featured star? I take the classic molten lava cake and stuff it with raspberries and mint and stack it next to some good old fashion vanilla ice cream like only a firefighter would. In this episode we discuss chocolate's dark side, chocolate's health benefits and certain facial expressions cause pain. For more, including the recipe, please visit www.thefirehousechef.com.

Báhn Mì - The traditional French-Vietnamese fusion street food is an affordable, yet tasty sandwich fit for the masses. Utilizing crunchy, yet a soft baguette filled with a fish aioli, spicy and caramelized pork, pickled carrots and radish, fresh cucumber, biting jalapeño and herbaceous cilantro then slightly toasted, it's a winner. In this episode, we discuss the power of salt, finding a local bakery has it's advantages, and that I use my hands, a lot. For more, including the recipe, please visit www.thefirehousechef.com.

Mascarpone Whipped Cream Lemon Bars - With springtime ready to bear it's vivid colors, plentiful sun and warmer days, I felt it prudent to bring you one of my favorites for celebrating the seasonal change, the lemon bar. But I elevate them by introducing an airy mascarpone whipped cream and a toast coconut finish, an almost perfect dessert. In this episode we discuss the power of zest, the backbone of confections and that whipped cream and whipped cheese are NOT the same thing. For more, including the recipe, please visit www.thefirehousechef.com.

Habanero Ham Mac & Cheese - When at the firehouse and some comfort food is being requested, don't just turn to the standard bowed variety. Take some creative control, throw in some heat (substantially or not), add some savory protein and then top it with some toasty crunch and make it a firehouse worthy meal. In this episode we discuss starch, the Scoville Scale and recipe inspiration. For more, including the recipe, please visit www.thefirehousechef.com.

Buttermilk Drop Biscuits - Craving the heavenly buttered Southern gold standard known as the biscuit but don't want all the work attached to it? Then may I present to you the 'drop' biscuit. Have the effort but all of the flavor, this is a great stand in for those occasions when time is of the essence and you need biscuits sooner rather then later. In this episode we discuss aluminum free alkalis, salt diameters and that size matter (again). For more, including the recipe, please visit TheFireHouseChef.com.

Roasted Eggplant w/ Quinoa & Yogurt - Mention the word "vegetarian" in the firehouse and be prepared to see everyone scatter like cockroaches when the lights come on. Fire service personnel are inherently carnivores in nature and have almost an unconscious, near violent reaction to even the whisper of a veggie based meal. So, with that in mind, I've decided to takle the infamously bitter and tasteless eggplant, to prove that any veggie can produce a wonderfully satisfying meal. In this episode we discuss preserved lemons, pomegranate molasses and raisin water. For more, including the recipe, please visit www.thefirehousechef.com. Stay hungry, my friends!

Valentines Platter - Better late then never, this is a recipe that really can be used anytime and for any reason. It's fondue in the house with many a homemade item to enjoy. Marshmallows and ganache are the star in this episode but don't forget the graham crackers, pretzels, bacon, salt, whipped cream and strawberries. It's interactive dessert time reserved for the home only. In this episode we discuss steeping tea, the "soft ball stage" and slamming doors. For more, including the recipe, please visit www.thefirehousechef.com. Thanks, and I love you too.