Nov 29, 2009 -
If you're a fan of Brown Sugar Cinnamon Ritz Crackers or the original variety, then you'll absolutely flip for this Parmesan-encrusted sole dish.
It achieves a browned, crispy exterior with the help of crushed Ritz crackers, which have a light crunch. Old Bay, the classic seafood seasoning, adds just the right amount of spice.
- 0 Comments
Nov 15, 2009 -
Pork chops may be filling and healthful, but because they're a leaner cut, they aren't always full of flavor.
To keep your taste buds dancing, incorporate the other white meat into a classic Southern staple that's got major sass: the Hoppin' John.
A medley of black-eyed peas, brown rice, kale, and pork come together with the help of tomato, broth, vinegar, and paprika.
- 1 Comment
Nov 08, 2009 -
Ever since I made pasta with lamb and tomato ragu, I haven't been able to stop singing the praises of ground lamb. If you love ordering lamb at restaurants but have never made it at home, ground lamb is the perfect starting point, since it requires no special handling.
Prepare the quick, from-scratch recipe for wheat pitas below or, in a pinch, use store bought pitas or tortillas.
- 2 Comments
Nov 01, 2009 -
Earlier this month, Party and I were enticed by one reader's rendition of beef stroganoff. If you, too, found yourself salivating over her creation, here's another dish that you need to bookmark! Unlike the classic course, which has sour cream and mushrooms, the ground beef in this recipe becomes a stew with the help of a roux, beef broth, and Worcestershire.
- 5 Comments
Oct 25, 2009 -
There's no better way to really catch Fall fever than to prepare a steamy seafood dish that also incorporates the season's top produce picks.
For dinner tonight, sauté aromatic leeks and unconventional hen of the woods mushrooms in butter, add broth, and simmer halibut and clams in liquid until just barely cooked.
The resulting meal, which is delicate both in texture and flavor, makes for an enjoyable end to the weekend.
- 0 Comments
Oct 18, 2009 -
For this week's Sunday night chicken dinner, I can't wait to apply the mainstream meat to a home-cooked Southeast Asian meal.
I love preparing ethnic foods at home, and this spicy noodle stir-fry, with its complex flavors, comes together in mere minutes, thanks to quick-cooking (and inexpensive) ground chicken.
Craving Thai takeout, sans the grease?
- 5 Comments
Oct 11, 2009 -
Chicken breasts and thighs have always been a staple in my household, but lately I've been doing some serious wallet-watching, and I've discovered that the best bang for your buck lies with the purchase of whole chickens.
So today, I'll pick up a couple chickens to make a classic poultry dish, chicken cacciatore, which uses every piece of the bird. Cacciatore means "hunter" in Italian, and protein prepared in this style is simmered in a sauce of mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, and herbs until succulent.
- 5 Comments
Oct 04, 2009 -
Filled with anticipation of the workweek, Sunday night can easily fall short of a relaxing evening. So, to keep my thoughts at bay, I'm going to prepare the ultimate in comfort food: cassoulet, a pork and bean casserole that hails from southern France.
Traditional cassoulet can be heavy and time-intensive, but I've found one that's luscious yet light — and takes less than an hour to prepare.
- 3 Comments
Sep 27, 2009 -
As the days shorten and the weather grows chillier, I've decided to give my barbecue grill a much-needed rest (for now). Instead, I'll be taking Sunday's dinners back into the kitchen, where, I'll turn my attention to America's favorite dinner meat: chicken.
Convenient, healthy, affordable, and delectable, this staple protein comes through time and time again.
- 2 Comments
May 17, 2009 -
You may have noticed that mussels are having a bit of a moment. If tasting the sheer flavor of the sea isn't reason enough for you to eat these briny bivalves, also remember that they're both incredibly affordable and a surefire sustainable seafood option.
Mussels are often served in a white wine broth or flavored with chorizo, but I love the unusual idea of them starring in a gratin.
- 1 Comment