Firehouse Shepards Pie - When down on your money and seeking a hearty meal, look no further then Shepards Pie. This dollar stretching pie will fill up the stomach while providing a satisfyingly warm meal on a cool day. We skip the high priced lamb, go with ground beef and build layers of flavors all the while keeping in one cast iron pan. In this episode we discuss using specialized tools, crowding the pan and whether lambs are happy. For more, including the recipe for this meal, please visit www.thefirehousechef.com.

Cranberry and Almond Quinoa - The wonder grain, err, seed, Quinoa, is all the rave in the healthy sectors of the fire service. Joking aside, it really should be. It's a great substitute for rice and pasta and can be thrown into soups, stews, stir frys and even cereal. I love this stuff. In this episode we discuss saponin, rehydration and the fantasy country of Perivial. For more, including the recipe, please visit www.thefirehousechef.com.

Pumpkin Bread Pudding - Old Hallows Eve is upon us and you're hunting for a great treat to share with your fellow trick or treaters to keep them going through the long night... Look no further cause I have a dessert that will keep your Zombies and Ghouls feed long after the moon reaches it's zenith. Perfect for Halloween or Christmas and everything in between, this combination of bread pudding and pumpkin pie will be a hit at the Firehouse and the neighborhood get-together. In this episode we discuss Cops, pumpkin pie spice and how to make a quick caramel sauce. For more, including the recipe, please visit www.thefirehousechef.com.

Roasted Tomato Soup with Rosemary Croutons - With Fall greeting us with lower temps and changing leaves, I felt it time to kick off the season with an easy but profound soup. I gathered the remnants of my Summer tomatoes with some recently made chicken stock to prepare what should become a Fire House staple. In this episode we discuss day old bread, tomato dregs and why I love football. For more, including the recipe, please visit www.thefirehousechef.com.

Raspberry Java Ribs - Sunday football is here and you are looking for worthy food to accompany it. Look no further as we have a very complex Raspberry Coffee Chipotle BBQ sauce to top our pork ribs. The best part, they can be made inside (rain or shine) in the oven and largely unattended. In this episode we discuss silver skin, pectin and children's feelings. For more, including the recipe, visit www.thefirehousechef.com.

Huevos Rancheros - The perfect egg and tortilla combo, but presented in a new way. We'll oven fry versus shallow fry our tortillas to create a bowl topped with beans, cheese and a perfectly cooked egg. In this episode we discuss terrible accents, runny yokes and Thunder. For more, including the recipe, please visit www.thefirehousechef.com.

Cedar Plank Salmon - When you crave the fresh flavors of the Pacific Northwest, the ideal vehicle to recreate those flavors is on the plank. I am of course speaking of the wooden plank with which to grill food (fruit, vegetables and protein). And no, it doesn't have to be an expensive, artisan wood from some gourmet website. In this episode we discuss toasting, that maple syrup is for more then just pancakes and that being sick makes you look like a fool. For more, including the recipe, please visit www.thefirehousechef.com.

Plum Crepes - Crepes, the delicate, flavorful French pancake, is often used to measure a chef's competency in the kitchen (along with a perfectly cooked egg). I try to show you how easy it can be (especially with the aid of a POWER TOOL!). In this episode we discuss non-stick skillet's imperfections, that whole milk has fat and the ancient Crepe God's demands for sacrifice. For more, including the recipe, visit www.thefirehousechef.com.

Spiral Hot Dogs and Quick Pickle Relish - Labor day, grilling and hot dogs, what do they all have in common? Besides, of course, food, family and all things America? They make the perfect combination for your Labor Day celebration that inevitably draws everyone outside to enjoy the last rays of summer. In this episode we discuss the slinky, wooden dowels and that pickling can be done quickly. For more, including the recipe for this episode, please visit www.thefirehousechef.com.

Chicken Calzones - What do you get when you stuff Puff Pastry with Garlic Herb Cheese and Chicken? I don't know either but my crew called it Chicken Calzones and the name stuck. In this episode we discuss the sense of smell while baking, what a rough chop is and that egg wash seals the world of pastries together. For more, including the recipes to this episode, visit www.thefirehousechef.com.