It's Oct. 1, and that means despite our initial reluctance, we're ready to embrace Fall. After all, what's not to love about hearty vegetables, cozy dinners, and Halloween? Although the weather is cooling down, we'll be heating things up in the kitchen. At the start of each month, we like to share the items we're currently obsessed with. So without further adieu, here are our October must haves.
Whenever I'm in need of an easy and comforting vegetarian meal that serves a crowd and can be made in advance, I turn to lasagna. Although the classic variation is loaded with meat, there are tons of vegetable lasagnas out there, from asparagus to spinach-pesto. My latest favorite is mushroom lasagna. Not just any mushroom lasagna, but Ina Garten's portobello mushroom version.
If it's a Barefoot Contessa dish, you know it's got to be good and this recipe does not disappoint. The resulting lasagna will have your guests crying, "OMG this is amazing!" It's rich, cheesy, creamy, and just plain delicious. The chunky portobellos are so meaty, even carnivores will enjoy this hearty meal. It's a one-pan dinner that's perfect for cooler weather, so get the technique after the jump.
Ever since one reader shared her simple weeknight meal of roasted asparagus, mushrooms, and quinoa, I've been wanting to show you my favorite take on the Peruvian grain as well. For a protein boost, I love to swap quinoa in place of bulgur wheat in the Middle Eastern parsley salad known as tabbouleh. You can't go wrong with such a simple dish, but the way to truly do this recipe justice is to use dry-farmed Early Girl tomatoes; they're an impeccable balance of sweet and tart, and add a vibrant red hue like no other tomato can. Make this and top with rotisserie chicken for dinner when you read more.
If you're a fan of cold soups like I am, I'm sure you'll agree they're the perfect midday refreshment during one of Summer's heat waves.
Although gazpacho takes a lot of credit for its cooling properties, don't discount other traditional warm-weather favorites, like the chilled version of the Eastern European soup known as borscht. The soup's beets, aside from having a nice depth of flavor, also provide a powerful flash of fuchsia color.
Not to be overlooked are the season's ripe fruits for sweet soups as well. If you're already serving borscht, why not create an ultra-playful menu by also serving a blush-hued soup for dessert? Offer another Eastern European favorite, Meggyleves, made from sour morello cherries. For both recipes, keep reading.
It's the middle of Summer, and chances are you've gotten into your seasonal routine. Why not shake things up a bit by planning a casual and fun party? Invite friends to join you for a movie screening (or outdoor concert) in a park! Pack a picnic, watch the film (or the stars), and enjoy a leisurely night out.
Select a versatile menu that can be made in advance and will feed everyone's dietary needs. Fill a pitcher with chunky farmstand tomato gazpacho and pour into glasses at the picnic.
A Greek-style pasta salad is hearty thanks to the addition of shrimp; pita halves stuffed with spiced avocado are perfect for those who don't eat meat. Round out the meal with oven-fried chicken — it's a nostalgic favorite that's sure to please. Want to learn how to make these dishes? Here are the recommended recipes.
There are certain recipes that every baking enthusiast should master. In my head, I have an imaginary list of these dishes. It's divided into categories and under the cookies subtitle, you will find oatmeal raisin cookies. Since this recipe was not checked off, I recently decided to make them.
After researching recipes, I selected Ina Garten's variation with pecans. Over 50 people have raved about it on Food Network and I have to agree, it's a simple method that yields spectacular results!
Oatmeal raisin cookies are great for mailing to a friend because they are durable and hearty. While they make a wonderful afternoon snack or sweet on-the-go breakfast, my favorite way to enjoy these cookies is in an ice cream sandwich made with vanilla ice cream. Whatever way you eat them, you can't do it without the recipe: get it now.
The James Beard Awards may be over, but the culinary accolades continue as award show season soldiers on. Today, the nominees for this year's Daytime Emmy Awards were announced, and the list included a number of notable culinary programs and food figures.
PBS and Food Network each have two shows that'll compete head-to-head for the title of Outstanding Culinary Program. For Public Broadcasting, it's America's Test Kitchen and the new travel show, Gourmet's Adventures With Ruth; for Food Network, the shows are Giada at Home and Tyler's Ultimate.
Vying for the Outstanding Lifestyle/Culinary Host award are a number of Food Network stars — Bobby Flay, Ina Garten, Paula Deen, and Giada De Laurentiis — as well as Martha Stewart for her syndicated talk show. Food Trip With Todd English, Eric Ripert's Avec Eric, and De Laurentiis's Giada at Home are also up for honors in outstanding directing.
I'll be rooting for new shows Avec Eric and Gourmet's Adventures With Ruth when the winners are unveiled on June 27. What cooking shows will you be cheering on?
This recipe for parmesan chicken is an impressive meal that's easy enough to throw together at the end of the week. You coat pounded chicken cutlets in a cheese and bread crumb mixture, then cook until crispy and delicious. Serve with a green salad dressed with a lemon vinaigrette and you've got a wonderful meal. To make it suitable for entertaining, start with a charcuterie and cheese platter and pour a creamy, full-bodied Chardonnay.
For dessert, serve macerated strawberries with vanilla ice cream. Voila! Instant dinner party. Get the effortless entree recipe and read more
There's something so wonderful about eating a perfect piece of bacon. My favorite kind is thick-cut with both a chewy and crispy texture, fatty and juicy mouthfeel, and porky, yet slightly sweet flavor. Put a plateful of this ridiculously tasty bacon in front of me and I won't be able to control myself. I'm like a kid licking a brownie bowl, I can't stop until the entire thing is gone.
Recently my dad made me some bacon that put this spell on me. It was Ina Garten's roasted bacon. Baking bacon is an easy and great way to cook it, especially when you don't need to use the grease for another part of the recipe. Since we were just having a frittata with bacon on the side, he used her technique.
The secret ingredient that makes this bacon so memorably addictive? Maple syrup. Once you've mastered this method, feel free to get creative. Use brown sugar or barbecue sauce or honey or chocolate — whatever floats your fancy. Learn how it's done now.
