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Justin LaCalamita | Home Cook

@itsjustincooks

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Chicago raised • NOLA braised
Italian, Spanish, Cuban & French roots
As seen on @foodnetwork #100cooks

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A rotisserie chicken is never just a rotisserie chicken in my kitchen.
In honor of #100cooks , I’m taking on the #100cooks100chickens challenge by turning a store-bought bird into Vaca Frita Arancini in just 30 minutes. Inspired by my Italian, Cuban, Spanish, and French roots, this dish combines crispy risotto, savory chicken, and the flavors I grew up loving.
Now I want to know: what’s YOUR favorite way to transform a rotisserie chicken?
Catch me on the premiere of #100cooks on @foodnetwork Sunday, June 7 @ 9|8c. @guarnaschelli @nick.digiovanni @terrycrews
#foodnetwork HomeCook Arancini VacaFrita by @itsjustincooks

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4 months ago

Chicago inspired the sandwich. Hawaii inspired the twist. 🌺
For the #alohachallenge I wanted to create something that felt true to my roots. I took everything I love about a Chicago-style Italian beef and reimagined it with juicy braised chicken, homemade pineapple giardiniera, sharp provolone, and toasted King’s Hawaiian rolls.
Meet my Aloha Chicken & Giard. 🥪
Want the full recipe? Comment “GIARD” below and I’ll send it straight to your DMs.
Huge thanks to @favchef @carlaphall and @kingshawaiianfoodservice for such a fun challenge. I had an absolute blast creating this one! by @itsjustincooks

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3 months ago

In honor of #100cooks , I’m taking on the #100cooks100noodles challenge by making fresh handmade Garganelli and turning it into a Pan con Tomate Pasta in under 30 minutes. 🍝
This dish is inspired by the classic Spanish flavors of pan con tomate, presented through an Italian lens with fresh pasta made from scratch. It’s a simple dish that pays tribute to both my Spanish and Italian heritage while celebrating how a few quality ingredients can create something special.
What’s your favorite pasta shape or noodle dish?
Catch me on the premiere of #100cooks on @foodnetwork Sunday, June 7 at 9|8c with @terrycrews , @guarnaschelli , and @nick.digiovanni .
FoodNetwork #homecook #pasta Garganelli PanConTomate Foodie Foodstagram by @itsjustincooks

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4 months ago

Father’s Day mezze inspired from @ottolenghi Hummus with Garlic Confit, Muhammara, Pea Spread with Smoky Marinated Feta, Labneh with Berries, Tender Carrots with Labneh and Dukkah, Smacked Cucumber Salad with Sumac-Pickled Red Onions, Toom Garlic Spread, Roasted Eggplant Salad with Lemon Paste & Pickled Chilies, Zaatar Oil, Dates with Goat Cheese & Hot Honey, Fresh Radishes & Mint 📸 AE-1 🎞️ Kodak Portra 400 taken in Chicago, Illinois by @itsjustincooks

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a month ago

This Fourth of July, skip the grill.
Dig a hole. Build a fire. Hang your food.
Sometimes the oldest way of cooking is still the best.
🇺🇸🔥 #fourthofjuly #openfirecooking #cookingoverfire #itsjustincooks by @itsjustincooks

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3 months ago

There are few smells better than garlic slowly confiting in olive oil with fresh thyme and rosemary.
Low heat transforms sharp, pungent garlic into something sweet, buttery, and spreadable. And the bonus? The herb-infused oil is liquid gold.
I use it on:
🥖 Toast
🥩 Steaks
🍝 Pasta
🥔 Roasted potatoes
🥚 Eggs
🥪 Sandwiches
Don’t rush it. Low and slow is the whole point.
What’s your favorite way to use confit garlic?
#garlicconfit #homecooking #castiron #oliveoil #garlic by @itsjustincooks

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3 months ago

In honor of #100cooks , I’m taking on the #100cooks100eggs challenge with a dish inspired by both my French and Spanish culinary roots. 🍳
For this challenge, I made a classic French omelette with fresh chives, filled with my take on a Spanish tortilla featuring caramelized onions, potato chips, and the rich yolk of a six-minute soft-boiled egg.
I love how a simple ingredient like an egg can be transformed into something elegant, comforting, and packed with flavor.
What’s your favorite way to cook eggs?
Catch me on the premiere of 100Cooks on @foodnetwork Sunday, June 7 at 9|8c with @terrycrews , @guarnaschelli , and @nick.digiovanni .
#omelette #tortilla #frenchomelette FoodNetwork HomeCook FrenchOmelette SpanishTortilla Eggs Cooking Foodie Foodstagram by @itsjustincooks

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4 months ago

Getting the chance to compete on 100 Cooks was truly a dream come true. I pushed myself, learned a ton, and shared a kitchen with some incredibly talented home cooks who quickly became friends. The competition was fierce, the pressure was real, and things definitely got hot in the kitchen - but I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat.
I’m so grateful for this experience and can’t wait for everyone to see it unfold.
100 Cooks premieres Sunday, June 7th at 9pm ET/PT on @foodnetwork and streams the next day on @hbomax with host @terrycrews and judges @guarnaschelli and @nick.digiovanni
#100cooks #foodnetwork #homecook #cook by @itsjustincooks

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4 months ago

Grind your sausage filling twice for a better consistency. #italiancooking #fromscratchcooking #homecooking #foodcreator #sausagemaking by @itsjustincooks

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6 months ago

This is when it becomes gravy #sundaygravy #italiancooking #homecooking #fromscratchcooking #comfortfood by @itsjustincooks

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6 months ago

Salt your pasta water, then use it! The starch is what brings the sauce together. #italiancooking #homecooking #pastarecipe #foodcreator #sundaygravy by @itsjustincooks

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6 months ago

Always crush them by hand #italiancooking #sundaygravy #homecooking #fromscratchcooking #pastarecipe by @itsjustincooks

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6 months ago