Some people just make you feel like everything in going to be ok when you cook. Jenn Segal gives that confidence and her wildly popular blog, Once Upon a Chef, is proof that her recipes work and make lives a little bit easier.

So with the release of her new book, we thought we would bring Jenn into the kitchen to get a sample of one of her recipes. This grilled cheese is the perfect blend: it is easy enough that anyone can tackle it but with enough difference to make it really feel like something special. I have found myself going back to it over and over since we shot the video.

Blog, Cookbook, Food, VideoAli RosenJune 26, 2018grilled cheese, cookbook, recipe, lunch, dinner, easy, 30 Minutes or Less, gouda, sandwich, pestoComment

The Sweet, Salty, Crunchy Steak

Sometimes one recipe leads to another. In testing out last week's bhel puri recipe I started to imagine another place where that sweet, salty and crunchy combo can balance out: a steak. Why not add a bit of sweetness and tartness with some tamarind? And instead of rice puffs why not just let rice krispies do the trick and add a bit of crunch to the otherwise heaviness of a steak?

This recipe has only four ingredients but they work some serious magic. Tamarind adds the perfect compliment to brighten up everyone's favorite meat and the drizzle of crunch on top makes it irresistible.

Ali's Recipes, Blog, Cooking, Food, RecipeAli RosenJune 21, 2018steak, easy, 30 Minutes or Less, dinner, tamarind, IndianComment

Tonight's Dinner is Orzo with Chicken and Olive Sprinkle

Some ingredients are just back-pocket game changers that you should always have around. Dehydrated olives may not sound like a necessity, but they can add a punch of flavor to almost anything. Don't be concerned with people who claim they don't like olives, it's not the same flavor. In the way that miso paste or soy sauce can add a depth of umami to a dish, so too can a bit of dehydrated olives just sprinkled on top. On pasta, on meat, even on a salad this little dust can do wonders.

And it's not a difficult task - it's really just about sticking them in an oven and remembering to take them out. You can make a giant batch and then seal them in a jar, always at the ready for an infusion of oomph.

This recipe takes something lovable but basic - chicken and pasta - and makes it feel like a sophisticated dish. It takes the ordinary and makes it addictive. But with the combination of the olives and the flavor of the chicken skin, you're basically unstoppable.

Ali's Recipes, Blog, Cooking, Food, RecipeAli RosenMay 19, 2018Day Ahead, Served Cold, chicken, orzo, pasta, olives, zucchini, chicken thighs, dinnerComment

The Shoulder Season Stunner is Zucchini Parm

It is sunny here in New York today but this will-it-or-won't-it spring still has me hankering for something comforting. So what do you do think this shoulder weather?

Enter the zucchini parm. It's the lightened up version, a lot of vegetables, a lot of freshness with basil and lemon an still a bit of cheese to bring it together. It can be prepped ahead, which for me is usually half the battle.

So if you need an easy, warming meal, I can't think of anything better

The Perfect Bean Soup

There's nothing quite as warming as a hearty soup, and yet sometimes it is hard to find that perfect balance between light and filling. We went to Eataly and found that among all the fancy Italian items, none were quite as tantalizing as this bean soup.

Cooking, Food, Recipe, Blog, VideoAli RosenFebruary 26, 2018soup, dinner, winter, beans, Italian, foodComment

The Secrets to Pork Loin

I am definitely guilty of buying the pre-cut versions of my meat because I'm too afraid to break down an entire cut. But I know that every time I do I'm wasting money on something so simple. So we went to Pig Bleecker to get chef Matt Abdoo to show us the ways of the pork loin. From a bone-in tenderloin to a pork chop, he shows us how to easily take charge of our meat destiny.

VideoAli RosenNovember 14, 2017pork, pork loin, pork chop, make ahead, dinner, recipe, dinner partyComment

The Secret to Perfect Risotto

Scott Conant is known for his stints on shows like Food Network's Chopped, but he is renowned for his pasta. If you've ever been to one of his restaurants you know that he has a seemingly magic touch.

Video, Recipe, Interview, Cooking, ChefsAli RosenSeptember 5, 2017risotto, Scott Conant, Italian, pasta, Italy, rice, Parmesan, dinner, recipeComment

Marinated Short Ribs

I love all the techniques that let a food sit passively and improve itself - pickling, brining and marinating all tend to make things better in my book. Why do more work when you can just let the liquid do it for you? Short ribs are particularly great for this, and Cote seems to have it down to a science.

Food, Recipe, VideoAli RosenAugust 29, 2017marinade, short ribs, beef, dinner, grillComment

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