Nov 18, 2009 -
This Thanksgiving, surprise guests by offering a main dish that's a slight departure from the typical turkey roast: a turkey roulade. In case you aren't familiar with the term, it merely refers to any kind of meat that's been rolled around a filling and then cooked. The result?
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Nov 11, 2009 -
If you're attending a potluck this Thanksgiving and have been assigned to bring a side, be sure to pick something that's classic yet breaks just enough from the norm, so you know there won't be repeated dishes on the table.
Why not spring for the always stress-free and elegant course known as stuffed squash? Keep it simple and fill the gourd with an Italian-inspired medley of sausage, garlic, peppers, and cheese.
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Oct 28, 2009 -
Whether you're throwing or attending a Halloween bash this weekend, chances are you'll need some flavorful frights to go with whatever hard drinks you're having on All Hallow's Eve. Go ghoulish — but not too gruesome! — with a treat that's also a bit of a trick: bony witches' fingers.
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Oct 14, 2009 -
Rustic, woodsy cremini mushrooms are the perfect flavor this time of year, and they make a killer app for gatherings big and small — especially when combined with the nuttiness of aged, hard Italian cheeses such as Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino Romano.
Whether you're new to cooking or a seasoned expert, stuffed mushrooms are an ideal start to any meal, and many versions are vegetarian! Keep it simple by baking 'shroom caps with a cold cheese mixture, or opt for a more sophisticated variation by making your own breadcrumbs, then adding sautéed vegetables into the stuffing before sticking the bites into the oven.
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Oct 07, 2009 -
October has barely begun, but I already miss my favorite Summer salads. Thankfully, I've got plenty of autumnal ingredients, like roasted butternut squash, to add into the fresh mix. If you plan meals ahead of time, channel your focus into a Fall salad with lots of splendid details, like port-soaked raisins, toasted walnuts, and oven-broiled goat cheese.
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Sep 30, 2009 -
To spice lovers like myself, chicken curry is the ideal, all-purpose meal. It's a well-balanced, relatively fast, one-pot dinner with loads of personality. For guests who don't go for the fiery factor, I simply cut down on the number of spices and chiles; when I'm cooking for myself, I'll take the dish a few notches higher on the Scoville scale.
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Sep 23, 2009 -
The narrow window of time that bridges late Summer with early Autumn is high time for figs, and I have this season's abundance thanks to a sale at my local market. Figs taste lovely when they're poached in syrup and offered as the close to an evening meal, so perhaps I'll simmer them briefly in Sambuca and finish them with a sweet-salty topping of pine nuts and fresh ricotta. Or, if I've got the time, I'll coat them in a slow-cooked sauce of herbs and spices, then serve with vanilla-imbued mascarpone.
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Sep 16, 2009 -
I don't often throw big blowouts like Party does, but I still love an excuse to celebrate in my own way. So, to honor Mexican Independence Day (which just happens to be today — olé!), I'm making a spicy soup called chicken posole. With chicken broth, roasted chicken, hominy, and chiles, this rustic stew is down-home, South-of-the-border cooking at its best.
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Sep 09, 2009 -
With so many Summer activities going on, I've been looking for more delectables to fit my on-the-go lifestyle. My new favorite snack is empanadas. The savory delicacies are not only perfect for portable snacking, but they're an easy way to use up leftover ingredients, and double as an appetizer for impromptu gatherings.
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