Recipe ideas and commentary on the new food culture by professional photographer Tom Schmidt in Chicago. Get inspired to cook something awesome!

Eat with Tom

Massaged Kale Salad with Sunflower Seeds and Dried Cranberries

//  by 

Turn that super chewy and tough raw kale into a tender treat with a simple massage.  The other secret weapons of this recipe are  sunflower seeds and mustard which transform these greens into a savory and satisfying dish. The idea of massaging kale is bound to cause a raised eyebrow from anyone not familiar with the glorious result.  The process is so simple, I am still dumbfounded why the technique has not taken hold on a larger scale. Don’t be surprised if you too are amazed by the …

Massaged Kale Salad with Sunflower Seeds and Dried CranberriesRead More

Chickpea Pizza with Eggs, Spinach and Tomatoes

//  by 

Gluten-Free Chickpea Flatbread Pizza Crust Recipe “I want Pizza!!”  We all have the craving, so why fight it?  This gluten-free pizza recipe will leave you not only satisfied, but inspired to create all kinds of pies.  The chickpea crust has a uniquely creamy and hearty taste that will fill you with happiness.  Not to mention, the crust is soooo easy to make, you will never have the urge to deal with a 'regular' pizza dough again! This recipe has become a busy evening favorite at my …

Chickpea Pizza with Eggs, Spinach and TomatoesRead More

Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Grapes

//  by 

Roasted Brussel Sprouts Recipe with Grapes When did Brussels sprouts become so cool?  People that normally don’t like veggies will even eat these.  They seem to have turned into the gateway drug for folks that often stay away from the green stuff.  Cool to me! My parents introduced me to this dish and at the time I had not traveled down the veggie road nearly as far as I have today.  Although it was a few years back, I can still vividly remember the first time these divine tiny …

Roasted Brussels Sprouts and GrapesRead More

Perfect Roasted Chicken Recipe – Impress the Ladies!

//  by 

Perfect Oven Roasted Chicken Recipe The easiest way to get the perfect girl to fall in love with you, serve her a perfectly roasted beautiful bird.  The mythical aphrodisiac effects of the golden crispy skin and luscious meat will unfold before your very eyes.  Or at least she will give a hearty compliment on your valiant attempt and big hug.  But hey, I’ve heard success stories… Recipe Inspiration - The Perfectly Roasted Chicken, Mindy Fox This method really benefits from starting with a high …

Perfect Roasted Chicken Recipe – Impress the Ladies!Read More

Pressure Cooker Recipe – How to Cook Dry Beans w/ Timetable

//  by 

How to Cook Dry Beans - Pressure Cooker Recipe Do people actually cook with those dried beans or does everyone just layer them into Mason Jars to gain hipster points?  The traditional way of preparing beans, with the overnight soak, hours of cooking, and on and on is just too much for me.  Fine I’ll just eat the canned stuff if that is the only option. Then I was introduced to one of my favorite new tools in the kitchen, the pressure cooker!  My dad bought me this one (Fagor …

Pressure Cooker Recipe – How to Cook Dry Beans w/ TimetableRead More

Roasted Broccoli Recipe, Simple Side Dish

//  by 

Broccoli Recipe for a Super Easy and Delicious Vegetable Dish Broccoli is often cited as everyone’s favorite vegetable, especially raw.  Wrong…  Until now!  Roasted broccoli is guaranteed to change your feelings to pure love for this flowery green veggie. I learned about roasting various vegetables a few years back, and still whip out this technique on a regular basis.  Roasting has a unique effect on veggies that draws the sugars out and carmelizes them on the surface.  This creates a …

Roasted Broccoli Recipe, Simple Side DishRead More