breadsticks

Appetizers

Bread Winner: Easy, Addictive Breadsticks

Breadsticks aren't something that I think about very often.


Breadsticks aren't something that I think about very often. What I mean by that is often I overlook them for other, more exciting snacks or appetizers. But I've recently come to realize that a fresh batch of breadsticks is simple, uncomplicated, and completely addictive.


As far as bread goes, this definitely can be considered a fast and easy recipe. It takes just minutes to come together, followed by one hour of resting, then about 30 minutes of baking.

There are a few things that I think could really enhance this recipe: a sprinkling of sesame seeds or good kosher salt. I also upped the temperature a bit to 375° F (or you could roll your breadsticks thinner) because I found that they weren't crunching up as much as I would have liked.

Find this incredibly straightforward recipe when you read on.

salads

Fast & Easy Dinner: Fried-Egg Caesar Salad

Traditionally a raw egg yolk is used to make Caesar salad dressing.

Traditionally a raw egg yolk is used to make Caesar salad dressing. However, this ingenious recipe places a fried egg on top of the salad. When the yolk is left runny, it coats the lettuce leaves, resulting in a similar effect. This variation lacks croutons, but crunch is provided by grissini, long skinny Italian breadsticks. Sun-dried tomatoes add a subtle sweetness to this quick, delicious dinner salad.

For the recipe, read more

Come Party With Me

Come Party With Me: My Birthday — Menu

Although my birthday starts at 9 p.m.

Although my birthday starts at 9 p.m. on a Saturday, I want to offer my friends snacks to nibble on throughout the night. Since the kitchen at 15 Romolo is still under construction, I'll make an assortment of easy appetizers that are best served at room temperature.

Marinated mushrooms and prosciutto-wrapped breadsticks are delicious starters. Chicken liver pate on crostini will suit the palates of my foodie friends and pair nicely with a goat cheese pesto torta. For these wonderful recipes, read more

52 weeks of baking

52 Weeks of Baking: Experiments in Phyllo

I thought about skipping out on this week's 52 weeks of baking (I'm actually making cupcakes for Jimmy's birthday tomorrow, and I thought I'd double-up and have two for next week).

I thought about skipping out on this week's 52 weeks of baking (I'm actually making cupcakes for Jimmy's birthday tomorrow, and I thought I'd double-up and have two for next week). However, 51 weeks of baking just doesn't have quite the same ring to it, so I ponied up and took the time between Top Model (secret vice) and Lost (not-so secret vice) to head to my kitchen and see what I could whip up.I contemplated making crackers, cookies, or muffins, but Molly's on vacation (and I know she'd be sad to miss out on the in-office treats), so I decided to try some phyllo dough experiments instead. Earlier in the week I had been inspired by these beautiful herbed phyllo breadsticks (I'm not the only one, this post is from over a year ago, and yet it's appearing on a bunch of blogs now) and wanted to see if I could make something similar. I ended up with a few different phyllo "breadsticks" and one "tomato pie."

To check out what I did, read more