If You Can Read, You Can Cook!

Home
Connect
Recipes By Type
Recipes By Cuisine
- Italian
- French
- Latin
- Mediterranean
- New England
- New World
- Old World
- Asian
- View All >
Latest Posts
Weeknight Dinners
Kitchen Essentials

Category: Old World

Penne Alla Vodka

Another beloved Italian-American Classic, this basic dish will rival anything you might get at your local red-and-white checkered tablecloth joint and comes together in about 30 minutes.

Posted on October 28, 2024March 11, 2025 by jamesbradfordgrayPosted in Complete Meals, Dinner Tonight, In the Kitchen, Inspiration, Italian, Old World, One Pot Wonders, Pasta, Pork, Recipes, Weeknight DinnersTagged Featured. Leave a comment

Linguine con le Vongolé (Linguine with Clams)

This Italian classic is simple and delicious. It’s easy enough for a busy weeknight and elegant enough for a special dinner for two.

It is satisfying and filling, yet light on both the wallet and the stomach. Also, it’s guaranteed to keep the vampires away for a millennia or so. What’s not to love?

Continue reading “Linguine con le Vongolé (Linguine with Clams)” →

Posted on September 23, 2024March 11, 2025 by jamesbradfordgrayPosted in Complete Meals, Dinner Tonight, In the Kitchen, Inspiration, Italian, Old World, Pasta, Seafood, Weeknight Dinners4 Comments

Chicken Saltimbocca

Rustic and timeless, this recipe is made savory with prosciutto and woodsy with sage, and is perfect for a fall weeknight dinner (or any weeknight dinner, for that matter). Less than an hour, start to finish.

Continue reading “Chicken Saltimbocca” →

Posted on September 15, 2024March 11, 2025 by jamesbradfordgrayPosted in Chicken, Complete Meals, Dinner Tonight, In the Kitchen, Inspiration, Italian, Mediterranean, Old World, Pasta, Recipes, Weeknight DinnersTagged Chicken, dinner, fall-dinner, food, recipe, Recipes, sage, saltimbocca. 1 Comment

Herb Crusted Pork Loin with Mushroom Gravy

Comfort food at it’s best, this family favorite is sure to warm your heart and soul on a crisp fall evening.

Continue reading “Herb Crusted Pork Loin with Mushroom Gravy” →

Posted on September 4, 2024February 17, 2025 by jamesbradfordgrayPosted in French, In the Kitchen, Inspiration, New World, Old World, Pork, RecipesTagged dinner, food, herb crusted pork, Pork, pork loin, Recipes, shiitake mushroom gravy. 2 Comments

Steak with Avocado, Cucumber and Anchovy Vinaigrette

Summer in SoCal this year kicked in the door and announced itself with a vengeance, with the mercury climbing into triple digits with little transition or warning.

What better time than to celebrate living in paradise?

Continue reading “Steak with Avocado, Cucumber and Anchovy Vinaigrette “ →

Posted on July 7, 2024January 3, 2025 by jamesbradfordgrayPosted in Beef and Lamb, Complete Meals, Dinner Tonight, Mediterranean, New World, Old World, On the Grill, Recipes, Sides and SaladsTagged anchovy viniaigrette, avocado, avocado cucumber anchovy vinaigrette steak, date night dinner, dinner, food, grilled steak, Hot weather cooking, On the Grill, Recipes, salad, steak salad. 1 Comment

Posts navigation

Older posts

Newer posts

⛋ Kitchen Notes | FALL 2026

Seasonal Feature

Pistachio-Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb with Parsley-Mint Chimichurri

This dinner is a segue into fall. The lamb is earthy and evokes deep summer, while the heirloom carrots foreshadow the cool and fragrant months to come, with just a hint of warm spices and maple. Crispy smashed potatoes are comforting yet not too rich, and the bright peppery arugula salad provides a welcome jolt of acidity to balance this flavorful meal.

Pistachio-Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb with Parsley-Mint Chimichurri – The Intrepid Gourmet

Featured Dinner

Grilled Saffron Rack of Lamb with Mediterranean Herbs & Spices

This rack of lamb is the perfect entrée for these first days of summer, and is full of Mediterranean flavor. Grill it over mesquite (or any hardwood) for extra flavor.

Morning Coffee Read

Here Are The Best Chef’s Aprons You Can Buy This Summer

Aprons – even expensive ones – are still cheaper than clothes. Here are the best aprons money can buy in 2025 for all your Fall cooking adventures.

Food Science

Steak au Poivre with Apple Brandy Pink Peppercorn Sauce

Using Pink Peppercorns elevates this dish by contributing a fruity, floral depth while Himalayan Pink Salt provides a minerality which perfectly complements any cut of beef.

Tips & Tricks

7 Kitchen Hacks Used By Pro Chefs That You Should Be Using At Home

If you want to learn to cook like the pros, start with some of these tried-and-true pro hacks that have the potential to make your life infinitely easier in the kitchen.

Gear

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things…

“Japanese chefs believe that their soul goes into their knives once they start using them… You wouldn’t put your soul in the dishwasher, now would you?” — Masaharu Morimoto

About The Intrepid Gourmet

Hi! My name is Jim. I'm so glad you found your way to my blog!

I'm an avid cook, recipe developer and culinary enthusiast. At the end of the day though, I'm just a regular guy who loves cooking, eating, and sharing a fantastic meal with others.

I firmly believe cooking is for everyone, and that anyone who wants to learn to cook - and cook well - can do so.

As my grandfather used to say "If you can read, you can cook!" There is literally nothing to stop you from trying your hand in the kitchen - you'll be surprised what you can do!

Type your email…

Full Disclosure: This site contains affiliate links, which means if you click on a product recommended here (or even better, buy it!), I may make a small commission.

Please note that all the products with which I choose to affiliate are ones that I have actually have tested and most of them I currently use and stand by in my own kitchen; I recommend them because I believe they will make a difference to you as well.

Advertisements

Disclaimer Cooking can be a thrilling experience, but is also inherently dangerous because most of the time it means using heat, which means fire, and sharp things, like knives, to say nothing of eating raw or undercooked things that might be housing various diseases, including but not limited to bacteria, salmonella, e Coli, trichinosis, etc. which can poison you.

By reading this blog, clicking on any links contained herein, or trying to prepare or eat any of the recipes contained herein, YOU, the reader, assume full responsibility for any and all outcomes (delicious or otherwise) related to the process of preparing, cooking or eating anything suggested in this blog.

By interacting with this blog, reading its contents, or trying or eating any of the suggestions or recipes contained herein, you assume all liability and agree to hold harmless The Intrepid Gourmet, James Bradford (Jim) Gray, WordPress and any or all of their representatives.

Have fun out there. Eat well, live well, come home with all your fingers, don’t blow yourself up or set your kitchen on fire or eat anything poisonous. Best of luck!

All images and content (C) James Bradford Gray, the Intrepid Gourmet, 2016, unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.

Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Subscribe Subscribed
- The Intrepid Gourmet
- Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.

Category: Old World

Penne Alla Vodka

Another beloved Italian-American Classic, this basic dish will rival anything you might get at your local red-and-white checkered tablecloth joint and comes together in about 30 minutes.

Linguine con le Vongolé (Linguine with Clams)

This Italian classic is simple and delicious. It’s easy enough for a busy weeknight and elegant enough for a special dinner for two.

It is satisfying and filling, yet light on both the wallet and the stomach. Also, it’s guaranteed to keep the vampires away for a millennia or so. What’s not to love?

Chicken Saltimbocca

Rustic and timeless, this recipe is made savory with prosciutto and woodsy with sage, and is perfect for a fall weeknight dinner (or any weeknight dinner, for that matter). Less than an hour, start to finish.

Herb Crusted Pork Loin with Mushroom Gravy

Comfort food at it’s best, this family favorite is sure to warm your heart and soul on a crisp fall evening.

Steak with Avocado, Cucumber and Anchovy Vinaigrette

Summer in SoCal this year kicked in the door and announced itself with a vengeance, with the mercury climbing into triple digits with little transition or warning.

What better time than to celebrate living in paradise?

Featured Dinner

Grilled Saffron Rack of Lamb with Mediterranean Herbs & Spices

This rack of lamb is the perfect entrée for these first days of summer, and is full of Mediterranean flavor. Grill it over mesquite (or any hardwood) for extra flavor.

4 minute read

Morning Coffee Read

“It’s Called Cooking…”

A few years ago I accidentally dumped an entire five-quart Dutch oven of coq au vin into the back of a friend’s oven.

Wine. Chicken. Mushrooms. Pearl onions.

Everywhere.

4 minute read

Gear

Here Are The Best Chef’s Aprons You Can Buy This Summer

Aprons – even expensive ones – are still cheaper than clothes. Here are the best aprons money can buy in 2025 for all your Fall cooking adventures.

4 minute read

Food Science

The Truth About MSG

MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) has gotten a bad rap for decades, but the question remains: is it really as bad for you as everyone thinks?

15 minute read

Quick Read

Steak au Poivre with Apple Brandy Pink Peppercorn Sauce

Using Pink Peppercorns elevates this dish by contributing a fruity, floral depth while Himalayan Pink Salt provides a minerality which perfectly complements any cut of beef.

3 minute read