When it’s time to bring the grill out it is easy to fall into a rut of cooking the same old burgers and hot dogs again and again. So this week I’m bringing you an easy variation on the classic to help add some spicy change to your routine. Lamb burgers seasoned with a blend of Middle Eastern spices and topped with a bright tzatziki sauce will help to keep your grilled dinners from becoming boring for sure. ...

Frequently when researching the local cuisines of cities across the U.S. I find locals pointing me towards the ethnic cuisine their town is known for. People are proud of the immigrants’ influence in their local food culture and the ability to “travel around the world” without leaving home. Detroit boasts a superb Lebanese culinary tradition. To celebrate this with the Royals upcoming series against the Tig ...

Sometimes you just need some comfort. Perhaps you are having a rough week, struggling through some personal issues. Or maybe you’re just feeling down about how things are going for the Royals right now. No better way to help yourself feel better than to eat through some of that pain, perhaps with a loaf of banana nut bread. It will make the house smell amazing as it cooks and is a wonderful breakfast, brunc ...

Today begins our series with the Los Angeles Angels. LA is known for many things but the one that excites me the most in culinary terms about this city is its influence from Central and South America. Though tacos seem to be our number one focus in Latin cuisine, today I’m bringing you something a little different with ceviche. During the hot summer months ceviche turns up often on my dinner table. Anything ...

Early next week the Royals take on the Houston Astros. With its proximity to Mexico, Texas gets a huge boost in culinary influence from its neighbors to the Southwest. There’s nothing that pairs with classic Mexican cuisine or the blended Tex-Mex foods better than a great margarita. This is, in my opinion, the ultimate, end-all-be-all version. No store-bought mix for me. I want the true acidity from fresh s ...

Just a quick couple of Netflix recommendations today. Our passions and our professions are to a huge extent what define us. When they're one and the same, however, the overlap can drive us nuts. Artists, politicians, athletes, moguls, yogis. A certain level of passionate obsession isn't healthy in combination with some personality types. As such, so very many chefs are insane or brilliant or a combination o ...

There are so many dishes that New York City is known for.  Black and white cookies are one iconic items that you find in almost any deli or bakery you step into. For the Royals series with the Yankees this weekend I am bringing you a different take on the classic sweet with Black and White Pudding.  You get the mix of rich chocolate and creamy vanilla without the pain of frosting a ton of cookies. To add a ...

The Royals have been taking on the Tampa Bay Rays this week. In honor of the two wins we have over them so far (the 3rd game is being played as I write this today) let’s celebrate by noshing down on a classic Tampa Bay dish: the Cuban sandwich. Obviously Florida has a lot of influence from Caribbean imports and we can be thankful for this inspiration of cuisine. The Cuban has got to be one of my favorite sa ...

In honor of the Royals' series with the Indians this week I am bringing you a sandwich that hails from Cleveland. Big and indulgent, a full meal in and of itself: the Polish Boy. It is a Polish kielbasa piled onto a bun with coleslaw, French fries and barbeque sauce. I’m adding my own spin to the dish by creating a simple coleslaw out of sauerkraut for a bit of extra bite.   Polish Boy Polish Kielbasa ...

One of the best ways to start off any party is to hand your guests a drink right when they walk in the door. A nice way to do this is to have a specialty cocktail available that is easy to mix beforehand and simple to serve, and is light and refreshing to not weigh anyone down right off the bat.   I made this blood orange punch for my last gathering and it was a big hit. It was an excellent aperitif to ...

I love hosting people for many types of parties so I’m constantly trying to figure out the best way to feed a crowd without completely breaking the bank. A pasta dish seems to always be the best go-to when you have a lot of hungry mouths to feed for little dough. A meaty red sauce is a classic, favorite pairing.   Instead of using straight hamburger I add extra flavor and heat with a hot Italian sausag ...

With Opening Day happening earlier this week, minds are turning towards summer. Ready for the sun, warmth, being outdoors, game days, beers in hand. I also find my brain wishing for the summer produce, such as my favorite sweet, fresh, in-season corn on the cob. There isn't much better. But until the day that corn actually shows up in the farmer’s markets I make do with the frozen stuff.   This recipe ...

Going on a bit of a “Mexican Feast” trend for a couple of weeks now here on Batter Up and Fry. Started off last week with an appetizer of guacamole and next week I’ll bring you one of my favorite Tex-Mex inspired sides. This week I have for you a quick and easy main course: quesadillas. This version features the spicy kick of fresh chorizo, a little added heft with mashed beans, and a gooey cheesiness thank ...

One of my closest childhood friends is coming to visit me next week from her current home of Mexico. When I visited her in her there a couple of years ago I spent a lot of time on the beach scooping up big bowls of guacamole. Nothing much better than sun, sand, snacks and cold beer (along with great friends). Though the sun and sand may be far off, guacamole is never more than a few minutes work away. The o ...

There’s the promise of warmer weather on the horizon. Not quite upon us yet, but the first whiffs of spring waft through the windows, the sun feels a little brighter, there are hints of green dotting the parks. I’m longing for the days that I can go for a long walk without a jacket and I know many of you are waiting with baited breath for baseball games to come back full swing. In anticipation of all the ex ...

I am once again conquering breakfast this week. This time with something a little sweeter: doughnuts. I adore a good doughnut but always hate the idea of making them at home—the frying is a pain and ends up making the whole house smell, so when I came across a recipe online for baked doughnuts I was in. These are soft, with a perfectly tender interior, not too sweet on their own (which is great when you are ...

When there is an early game you really need something hearty and filling to help you make it through the hours of cheering and drinking you have ahead of you. That’s why I like to start off with a solid breakfast, like the classic biscuits and gravy. This is a dish I will forever associate with home, family and holidays. You just don’t see it done here in New York City all that often (or at least done well) ...

I try not to be too mainstream in what I choose to write about. It would be silly of me to write a review/critque about OK JOE’s because we all know that review need only be 2 words: "Freakin’. Awesome." So I try to go a little off the beaten path about places that I think are unique, cool, and original to KC. That said, today I preset to you, Fervere Bread. Fervere is located near downtown at 1702 Summit S ...

It’s hard not to love a great deviled egg. This classic picnic/potluck dish is making a big comeback, even showing up on the menus of some of the hottest restaurants in New York City. One of my favorite versions of this humble dish is one I came across while studying abroad in Spain during college: the huevos rellenos at a favorite tapas bar. They were filled with tuna and tomato, creating a protein laden, ...

  Before I set sail on my maiden voyage here at PTP let me offer you a bit of background. I’m a professional actor.    *pause for laughter*    I’ve made my living exclusively as an actor since 2005. Along the way that career has assumed many forms: TV commercials, movie work, LOTS of live theatre, a Broadway show, Radio voice-overs, corporate hosting, and yes...  a 4 year stint as the Official emcee for the ...