Jun 29, 2009 -
We are currently fixated on red, white, and blue foods, and this berry lemon meringue cake is absolutely no exception. If you're short on ideas for an Independence Day dessert, this cake would be perfect. After all, what could be more festive (and all American) than super-seasonal berries, moist white cake, and a fluffy meringue topping?
- 6 Comments
Jun 29, 2009 -
Yesterday I spent a laid-back afternoon outside, and enjoyed a meal of swordfish, hot off the grill, prepared Sicilian-style. While tonight I don't have time for open-air cooking, I'll continue my love of all plates Sicilian (and using my leftover swordfish!) with a penne avvocato. This fresh pasta toss calls for high-quality Mediterranean ingredients, like San Marzano tomatoes, anchovy fillets, capers, and basil, to build layer up on layer of flavor in under half an hour.
- 1 Comment
May 31, 2009 -
When you take over the grill tonight, test out a vegetarian barbecue option that's not so redundant: a meatless take on the New Orleans muffuletta sandwich. With crusty bread and warm, caramelized slices of eggplant, zucchini, red bell pepper, and mushrooms, this sandwich is a scrumptious, filling, and nutritious variation of the hearty Louisiana original. For extra creaminess and crunch, you can toast the bread and the provolone on the grill, too.
- 2 Comments
May 24, 2009 -
If you haven't already done so yet, this long weekend is the ideal time to break out your barbecue. That's why I'm reinstating Sunday BBQ, a weekly series featuring my favored foolproof grilled dinners. I'm starting with beef and pineapple kebabs, because what would Memorial Day be without some grilled beef?
- 2 Comments
May 18, 2009 -
If you've got a half an hour to spare, you can make time this Monday evening to have an epicurean feast with your loved ones. Impress them with a modern twist on the old Italian standby, linguine with clams. Switch up the traditional marinara sauce with a roasted red pepper purée, and use leftover mussels for a familiar replacement to clams.
- 1 Comment
May 11, 2009 -
Last night, you went the healthful route with sesame chicken, vegetables, and soba noodles; tonight, jazz things up with a meal that's the ultimate in comfort food. Take leftover boneless, skinless chicken breasts and turn them into something craveworthy when you drizzle them with a gouda cheese pan gravy and serve them alongside creamy smashed potatoes that are studded with broccoli florets. Get this crowd-pleasing recipe — that's ready in only half an hour — when you read more
- 4 Comments
May 11, 2009 -
The weather outside is no longer frightful, and most of us have freshened up our dinner menus with Summer salads, BBQ and seasonal veggies. If you don't want to just give your dog a bone, whip him up a meal that's decidedly more delicious than his usual bowl of kibble. Here are some of my favorite recipes for doggie vittles for inspiration.
- 3 Comments
May 02, 2009 -
My guy's favorite dessert of all time is strawberry shortcake, and for weeks now, he's been begging me to make it. Since the beloved berries are starting to turn up at the farmers market, I finally decided to win him over with a luxuriously creamy strawberry layer cake.
Unfortunately, the day I baked this cake, the city of San Francisco had record-high temperatures, something that my cool, whipped cake wasn't so thrilled about — it wound up being a classic case of theirs versus mine.
- 9 Comments
Apr 29, 2009 -
I've always wanted to be at Churchill Downs during the Kentucky Derby, and this year is no exception — especially since the Top Chef crew will be there, cooking up a storm. But if you're like me and will only be able to watch the races from the comfort of your home this weekend, get into the spirit by making a Louisville, KY, classic: the hot brown. In case you're not familiar with it, the hot brown is a creamy, rich, hot sandwich that's made of sliced turkey, bacon, toast points, and a cheesy Mornay sauce.
- 8 Comments
Apr 26, 2009 -
For dinner tonight, opt for a straightforward meal that won't have you spinning wheels. Take advantage of market-fresh items like asparagus and sugar snap peas to make a healthy yet hearty vegetarian noodle stir-fry.
Apple cider vinegar and fresh ginger add zing, while a handful of walnuts add meatiness and crunch.
- 3 Comments
