You may recognize James Oseland from Top Chef Masters. He's a regular judge on the show. The New York resident is also the editor in chief of the beautiful and informative Saveur magazine. Here's what he did yesterday, a day he describes as "wonderfully average," Tuesday, July 26. 7:30 a.m.: I started out the day with my usual bill of fare. It was ploddingly predictable. I had homemade poor Read more

If you're not a fan of raw oysters, I highly suggest you try them cooked. It's a great way to introduce your palate to the briny shellfish, and after all, what's not to love about anything that's covered in a delicious mixture of melted butter, cheese, herbs, and garlic? Although this recipe hails from Mobile, AL, I'm suggesting you make it for Mardi Gras. Buy gulf oysters and you'll be Read more

A major freeze in Mexico will significantly increase tomato prices. — Wall Street Journal Also expect to see a rise in the price of cheap beef. — The Consumerist Learn how to keep salad greens fresh. — The Kitchn Saveur magazine is now reviewing restaurants. — Eater Gourmet's Italian Kitchen has hit newsstands. — Gourmet Live Must make: spinach, provolone, and pepperoni calzone. — Read more

Today, billions of Chinese people worldwide are ringing in the year of the rabbit by spending time at the table with their friends and family. But that's where a lot of the similarity ends; each region of China and ethnic Chinese groups have their own cultural traditions associated with the celebration. For some, it's eating both the land and the sea; for many, especially those near the coast, Read more

The season's cooling off, and it's the end of another chaotic week; slow down and take the time to nourish yourself with an uncomplicated potage parmentier. After all, even the legendary Julia Child held an appreciation for this humble yet warming soup. Begin with little more than a few loose ends from the larder: chopped leeks and clean potatoes. Simmer the broth until tender, break potatoes Read more

For an elegant but relaxed approach to tonight's dinner, serve grilled steaks with a sauce vierge. This light and pungent sauce, which literally translates to "virgin sauce," is the Frenchman's rendition of Italy's salsa verde. Although the traditional elements, like capers, parsley, olive oil, and garlic still play a starring role, so do Provençal ingredients such as cornichons and Dijon Read more

Last weekend when I asked my sister what she wanted for dinner, she said, "something stuffed." I started to throw out options like grilled, ricotta-stuffed chicken and rice-filled, baked tomatoes, but she grabbed the Saveur that was sitting on the coffee table and said excitedly, "let's make these stuffed peppers!" Since they looked absolutely amazing, I happily obliged. The recipe is pretty 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, Read more

Over a thoroughly enjoyable bite of blackberry fool, I couldn't help but dream about a crumbly, larden shortbread round to dust off with it. So tonight, while I've still got some blackberry dessert in the icebox, I think I'm going to bake up a batch of shortbread coins to go along with. A traditional shortbread is truly spare of ingredients, calling only for butter, flour, and sugar. In fact, Read more

This month, some dear friends from college will be visiting me in San Francisco. Whenever I have out-of-towners, my favorite way to welcome them is with a small savory or sweet treat — always homemade, for a little personal touch. This time, I'll be making scones. After all, what puts one at ease better than a warm pile of just-baked breakfast breads? Since one of them has a sweet tooth, and Read more