Nov 17, 2009 -
If you've got both vegetarians and meat lovers joining you for Thanksgiving, consider serving an almost meatless meal. The only meat dish on the menu is the turkey, but the appetizers and supporting dishes are all veg-friendly. Start with baked brie and toasted walnuts.
- 2 Comments
Sep 02, 2009 -
I'm pretty traditional when it comes to birthdays and I can't remember celebrating one without a special cake. It may come as a shock, but every year, I make my own birthday cake. Researching cake recipes and going through the process of baking one has become a ritual that I look forward to and enjoy — as much as the senselessly extravagant birthday party.
- 8 Comments
Aug 26, 2009 -
My fanaticism for specialties like fried chicken and spicy buffalo wings is so epic that sometimes I overlook other poultry dishes that are well-suited for the dinner table. I'd almost forgotten about chicken teriyaki until I stumbled across a simple yet standout recipe that calls for basting and broiling an entire chicken until it's developed a caramel brown lacquer.
Teriyaki-glazed chicken has become a typical to-go item in food courts across the country, but it's far more delicious when prepared in a home kitchen.
- 1 Comment
Jun 24, 2009 -
Even if you aren't a fan of warm soups in Summer, it'd be hard not to get behind the tart, herbaceous, chilled Spanish soup known as gazpacho. In-season tomatoes provide a savory acidity, emulsified olive oil gives a creamy mouth-feel, and garlic packs a punch. In traditional Spanish recipes, the addition of day-old bread adds weight and body.
- 2 Comments
Jun 09, 2009 -
Any gourmand with a hankering for something spicy would be right at home in my kitchen, where the fridge is stocked with scorching sauces from every corner of the world. From Tabasco to Sambal Oelek and Sriracha, I'm extremely well-supplied in the store-bought specialties department.
I recently came to the conclusion, however, that I'm lacking somewhat in the homemade hot sauce category.
- 5 Comments
Jun 03, 2009 -
Nothing says high school graduation like a classic sheet cake with "Congratulations Class of 2009" scrolled across the top in loopy, frosted letters. While you could order an insanely sugary cake with too-sweet frosting from Costco or Safeway, why not take the time to make your grad a homemade confection? This recipe for a rich, dense chocolate cake is simple, straightforward, and sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
- 3 Comments
May 13, 2009 -
No fruit or vegetable ushers in the season of late Spring and early Summer quite like the fava bean. Simply ask the denizens of southern Italy, where short-lived favas are a prized warm-weather favorite. There, the tender, creamy beans are frequently served in a delicate salad with buttery olive oil and nutty pecorino cheese.
- 1 Comment
Apr 28, 2009 -
Party and I are huge fans of making our own ingredients when possible, rather than using store-bought materials. We've had artichokes on the brain these days, and when she told me that she was itching to put together a classic artichoke dip, I decided I'd make my own version of canned artichokes to give to her.
Because I wanted to make a lot of cans, I doubled the recipe — and in a matter of minutes, I had bright-flavored, zesty jars of artichokes that are great edible gifts.
- 10 Comments
Mar 11, 2009 -
One of my favorite desserts to make at home is rice pudding, because I can easily watch it on the stovetop while I'm prepping other items for dinner. Since most of us have rice, honey, and milk on hand, it's possibly the tastiest way to clean your pantry. Although many rice puddings call for arborio or other short-grained Italian varieties, try the longer-grain jasmine for less starchiness.
- 3 Comments