I am always amazed by the incredible and elaborate birthday cakes people make, but I know I never have the dexterity or patience to do it myself. But the book Treat Yourself makes you think anything is possible - if you work with Rice Krispies treats instead.
Read MoreI'm not sure why we put food in certain boxes of when we can eat them and why. Pasta is the perfect example - if it's comforting at dinnertime why can't we also eat it for breakfast? We tested this theory by going to The Sosta for their breakfast spaghetti.
Read MoreWe went to a cidery in Normandy, France to see the process from apple to glass
Read MoreIf you are looking for the heir to ramen, Little Tong Noodle Shop's Simone Tong has the answer. She is preaching the gospel of mixian, a rice noodle from Yunnan in China. The slightly fermented, a little bit acidic noodle is the perfect contrast to warming broth.
Read MoreScott 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.
Read MoreI 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.
Read MoreTabbouleh is one of those items that can really go either way. The tasteless ones dull an entire meal but the good ones can liven and brighten everything. Alon Shaya has figured out that perfect balance of brightness. The humble parsley salad shines in his capable hands.
Read MoreStawberries are no exception. Those tiny, perfect summer strawberries seem to be needed in everything this time of year. But I am always looking for the savory option. I want to take the summer fruit out of its typical sweet context. So when I had an abundance of strawberries recently I decided to do more than just add them to my spinach salad.
Read MoreWhen the ingredients are good, I am a big fan of simplicity. In the dead of winter I am ready for braises and long-simmering soups. But in the summer just give me a few fresh ingredients and try not to mess them up.
Read MoreSome things in our food world we just take as a given - like dairy products are always in the fridge. But walk the aisle of any European grocery store and you’ll see rows and rows of dairy on a shelf. So what are we so afraid of?I went to Normandy France, home of history, cider, and a whole lot of dairy cows to find out.
Read MoreIt's hard to draw the line between a salad and a vegetable side dish sometimes, but I think that middle ground is actually a pretty great spot. There's no reason why raw vegetables can't marry with cooked. And this time of year I am partial to also combining the best of summer: raw tomatoes with anything charred from a grill or broiler. So this 'salad' accomplishes it all.
Read MoreThere's something magical about a summer cocktail. It doesn't have to be as complex as something you drink sitting by a fire in the winter. It just needs to be bright, light and low ABV enough to keep drinking as many glasses as you want.
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