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Maple Oatmeal with Dried Fruit and Granola

Nothing seems as satisfying when it's cold outside as a warming bowl of cereal that is fast and easy to prepare. This is my pick for dressed-up oatmeal

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Looking for Something New for the Grill? Try Pizza

Homemade Pizza

Take your homemade pizza to a whole new level by cooking it right on the grill. The intense heat of the grill bakes pizzas to crispy perfection in just a few minutes while simultaneously infusing them with smoky flavor. These pizzas are rustic, full of summer flavor, and incredibly fun to make.

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Big Bold Burrito with a Fraction of the Calories

Plus-size burritos seem to be the norm these days. However, burritos are full of inherently healthy ingredients so there's no reason they have to weigh you down. Fortunately, the Eating Well Test Kitchen used three tricks to make a stuffed steak burrito that clocks in at 471 calories and is a whole lot healthier

 

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Popover Pancake with Mascarpone and Berries

Popover Pancake

Like a popover, this over-sized lemon- and orange-scented pancake magically puffs up into a light yet satisfying breakfast or brunch main course. Easier than making individual pancakes, this big puffy pancake makes a dazzling presentation. Serve this pancake with grilled assorted sausages or crisp bacon.

 

French Toast with Spiced Pears

French Toast Recipe

The final consideration is what you'll slather on your French toast. Maple syrup and butter are classic accompaniments, especially if you can't wait to dig in. However, if you devote a few more minutes to the dish you can create a luscious topping of spiced pears with walnuts as in the following French Toast with Spiced Pears recipe

 

Sweet Potato Hash: A Make-Ahead Brunch

One of the requirements for a good brunch recipe is that it be easy to make ahead. The entire thing is made ahead. This Sweet Potato Hash recipe is also very vegetarian-friendly

 

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Easy and Elegant Breakfast Pastries Recipe

Breakfast Pastries

When it comes to no-fuss breakfast treats, frozen puff pastry is your secret weapon, your ace in the hole, and your new best friend. Found in the freezer section, these pre-made sheets of buttery dough are arguably just as good as puff pastry made from scratch and definitely a lot easier. Here's three recipes worth trying

 

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The Jucy Lucy Cheeseburger

Susan Russo's 'The Encyclopedia of Sandwiches' can be viewed as just a cookbook, but it can also be enjoyed as a thought-provoking history lesson. And your mouth will water at the photographs by Matt Armendariz. Here's The Jucy Lucy Cheeseburger recipe from 'The Encyclopedia of Sandwiches'

Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Homemade Barbecue Sauce

In the South, pulled pork barbecue sandwiches are at the top of the food pyramid. Fans of this unique American creation think nothing of driving miles in search of the best pulled pork in their area. Here's my recipe for Pulled Pork Sandwiches with a delectable homemade barbecue sauce

Eggplant, King of Middle Eastern Vegetables

Once a stranger on the American culinary scene, eggplant has made great inroads on these shores in the past few decades. Eggplant moussaka has become well known from Greek eateries, eggplant bharta from Indian ones, and ratatouille from French bistros and Baba ghanoush, Middle Eastern roasted eggplant dip with sesame paste. Here's some other recipes for eggplant.

Incredible Edible Gifts Recipes

Who wouldn't love to find a specially made treat tucked in their mailbox or in the toe of their stocking? Whether it's for Aunt Sally or that new teacher at school, you can't go wrong with these thre edible gift recipes

No Time to Bake Bread? Think Again

If you have the time, make a slow-rise dough. If you don't have the time, don't forgo bread -- instead, try the following No-Time Bread recipe

Spiced Rhubarb Chutney

Rhubarb is actually a vegetable, but it's traditionally served in a sweet pie or crisp. Give it an image update with this zesty chutney. Chutney -- a traditional Indian mixture of vinegar, sugar, spices and fruit -- is the perfect accompaniment for poultry, pork, lamb, fish and cheese

Potato-Bacon Tarts Recipe

A delicious, crustless potato torte includes bacon, cabbage, and Irish Cheddar; a quiche-like tart adds shallots and blue cheese; and a riff on a French tartiflette, a gratin generally made with reblochon cheese, substitutes Irish Swiss. Serve with a simple green salad, your favorite wine

Artichoke & Red Pepper Frittata and Chicken Tikka Masala: Quick Meals for Busy Nights

When you've been running around all day and still have more to do, it's mighty tempting to order pizza instead of cooking a whole meal. But wait! Put down the phone -- a home-cooked meal might be quicker and easier than you think. Here's two perfect examples ...

Fourth of July Barbecue: Celebrity Chefs Recommend

For 4th of July cookouts and summer barbecues, I asked TV chefs Bobby Flay and Sara Moulton, as well as award-winning cookbook author Mollie Katzen, to share tips and recipes

Patriotic Potato Chips: Red and White Chips with American Blue Cheese Sauce

Too often, we fall back on those old supermarket standbys, tearing open bags of chips and pretzels and presenting them with familiar dips made with sour cream or mayonnaise. Instead, how about starting off your party with a bang this year by making your own tempting, freshly fried chips? And not only that, but also serving them with homemade warm cheese sauce?

A Rose-Tasting Party to Kickstart Summer

The long, cold winter and wet spring had me scouting the wine stores early this year, hoping to spot the first arrivals of rose wine. For me, rose is more than a simple pink wine. While it is a symbol of summer sipping, the diversity of styles makes rose a versatile partner at the table

How To Make Creamy, Luscious Scrambled Eggs

I like my scrambled eggs creamy, luscious and custard-like. And, at the risk of starting interminable arguments, here is how I make them

Tomato, Broccoli and Mozzarella Pasta Casserole

Getting dinner on the table becomes a less of a leisurely affair and more dependent on thinking ahead. My own fallback in such times is the pasta casserole

The Fresh Lime Margarita as It Was Meant to Be Made

For many, Labor Day is the last hurrah for summer libations. The real secret to a great margarita is choosing the best tequila, so save these for special occasions with just a few friends

What to Do with Excess Bounty of Summer: Skillet Jam

Okay, I admit it. I make skillet jam. No fanfare, no canning jars or water bath cauldrons -- just a nonstick skillet, some ripe, fragrant fruit, sugar and a lemon. That's it! This may not sound like a shortcut, but once you put this on the table some Sunday morning you'll forget that it took you half an hour or so to make

Heirloom Tomatoes with Peaches and Burrata

This Heirloom Tomatoes with Peaches and Burrata recipe is not your basic tomato, mozzarella and basil salad. It is a lot more interesting and might just be a conversation starter -- slightly rustic in presentation, full of bright colors and most of all it is Seriously Simple to assemble

Fall is for Fresh Figs

If you are so lucky as to spot fresh figs at the market, grab them immediately. There's no guarantee that they'll still be there next time, and fresh figs are a seasonal treat not to be missed. Then give the following Fig with Prosciutto Grilled Cheese Sandwiches and Honey-Roasted Figs with Yogurt Panna Cotta recipes a try

Summer Vinaigrette

This vinaigrette is chock-full of fresh herbs that will liven up any variety of salad greens, fresh vegetables, cold seafood, chicken or pasta salads. It's amazing just how versatile this sauce can be, particularly when you want to showcase raw vegetables or cooked and chilled fish, poultry or meat

Kitchen Wisdom: Volume I

I thought I'd begin a series of things I've learned along the way. Ladies and gentleman, I give you Matt's Kitchen Wisdom, Volume I.

Quick, Easy and Moist Whole Wheat Muffins

Here's a recipe out of my weeknight playbook: A quick, easy, reliably moist batch of whole wheat muffins. This is an adaptation of a recipe my mom made frequently while we were growing up

Muffins to Eat Now or Freeze for Later

Compact and perfectly portable, muffins make a superb breakfast for eating on the ride into work. Want an even better idea? Freeze those individual muffins for a quick grab-and-go on your way out the door. Here's two wonderful recipes for making Banana Muffins and Cherry-Oatmeal Muffins

Much (Well Deserved) Ado About Mangoes
Sharon Palmer, R.D.

The most popular fresh fruit on the planet, the mango originated in South Asia, where it was once revered as sacred. Every part of the mango tree and its fruit has been used in folk remedies there. The sweet, yellow-orange flesh of a mango is packed with a powerful cocktail of 20 different health-protective nutrients

Crab Cakes Benedict

When you're planning brunch for a special holiday like Easter or Mother's Day you want a dish that feels at once both reassuringly familiar and refreshingly new. It also needs to be something that's easy, allowing you to do much of the work in advance so you can enjoy your own party. With all those needs in mind, I've come up with an ideal recipe my Crab Cakes Benedict

Passover and Easter Foods Done Healthy

It is possible to enjoy a holiday menu with few repercussions. In fact, many traditional holiday foods are naturally healthy. Whether you celebrate Easter at this time of year or Passover, here are some of the foods you can look forward to

Easter Lamb: California-Bistro Style

If you're planning on serving lamb this Easter, why not try something a bit different from the standard leg roast? Lamb shanks, with their rich flavor and make-ahead feature, never seem to go out of style. This California bistro-style lamb shank dish is perfect for a dinner party as well.

Vibrant and Dyed Naturally: Vegetable-Dyed Easter Eggs

Last year I dyed our eggs with onion skins, which gives a pretty spectacular result, especially if you rub them with oil to add shine. This year I took the idea of coloring eggs with vegetable scraps a step further and created a larger palette.

A Matter of Taste: Europeans on American Food

When in Europe, we usually talk about food, and the conversation sometimes shifts to what I eat back home. It can come as a surprise, but Europeans don't always have a dim view of American cooking. After all, McDonald's is the number one fast-food chain in Europe -- the one on the Champs-Elysees is the most profitable in the world

Secrets to Speed Cooking

With all the washing, chopping, slicing, dicing, simmering and stirring that goes into making a home-cooked meal, it's no wonder people give up and order takeout. But with a couple of insider strategies and some helpful kitchen tools, you can whip up delicious, nutritious fare in half the time it's taken you until now. Here's how

Biscuits Offer Quick Comfort

Nothing offers both comfort and immediate gratification quite like a freshly baked biscuit. From measuring out the flour to savoring that first buttery nibble, biscuits take no more than 30 minutes. They make a perfect quick side dish to almost any meal.

6 Ways to Eat Well for Less

You might turn to celebrity chefs Barefoot Contessa, Giada de Laurentiis, or Mario Batali when searching for inspired meal ideas, but did you know that the federal government, along with public universities, is also working hard to test and develop frugal and healthy recipes?

The Perfect Potluck

Is the economy throwing a damp dishtowel on your dinner party plans? Don't be too quick to cut social gatherings from your budget. Sharing good times with friends -- no matter what the bank statement says -- is too important to forgo. And with a little ingenuity, it doesn't have to cost beaucoup bucks

Oscars Party Cocktail Recipes

Leave your guests speechless by serving a champagne punch or cocktail – ideas provided by Moet & Chandon, the exclusive champagne of the Oscars.

Roasted Fennel: Cold Weather Favorite with a Hint of Spring

This roasted fennel recipe requires little work, other than stirring, and it produces a magical result. I have served this to guests who don't like licorice, and they never detect that flavor once it is roasted. I like to serve this as a side dish to any grilled or roasted entree. Make sure the fennel is soft and caramelized; otherwise it can taste woody

The Amazing Story of Kamut: The Nearly Lost Grain

Kamut khorasan is an excellent way to boost your intake of whole grains. This ancient wheat variety is also higher in protein and many minerals than modern wheat varieties. Although it is not recommended for people with celiac disease who must avoid the gluten found in wheat, many people with wheat sensitivities report tolerating Kamut better than other wheat

How to Make a Souffle

This simple three-cheese souffle is an immensely satisfying dish of cheese and eggs, whipped into a melting cloud that sighs on your tongue. And it's easy -- not fussy, not too elusively French, as I had supposed it to be. Here's how to make a souffle -- why not whip one up tonight?

Wake up Your Winter Menu

It's easy to get bored with winter recipes, but you don't have to wait for next summer's farmers markets to get inspired. Sometimes, adding an unexpected side dish or salad to a main course can be just what you need to spice up your menu. Try these unique ideas, which pair seasonal fruits and vegetables to create memorable and healthy meals

Cranberry Orange Cornmeal Muffins, a Comforting Treat

Muffins are typically a breakfast treat, but they're great comfort food any time of day. Here, cranberries and yellow cornmeal team up for added texture and pure American flavor. These rustic, crusty muffins are wonderful served warm right out of the oven along with berry preserves. If you want to make sure the muffins rise and have a pleasant consistency, here are a few tips and the recipe

Valentine's Day Dinner for Dummies

There are many romantics who decide to cook and they want to make something impressive. Cooking for one is relatively simple, but putting a big meal together can be challenging if you're new to it. Here;s a guide to Valentine's dinner for, well, not dummies exactly, but cooks who want to impress without getting too flustered on the most romantic evening of the year

 

Christmas Cookies

Holiday Cookie Basics

In past years, I've shared some of my favorite traditional Austrian Christmas cookies. Sometimes, though, you want an all-purpose holiday cookie, something straightforward but extremely versatile. That's where the following recipe for Basic Butter Cookies comes in

 

Sachertorte

Wolfgang Puck's Sachertorte: A Spectacular Christmas Dessert

You still have time to plan, shop for, and prepare a spectacular dessert for your Christmas dinner. It's easy if you make the recipe I share here for Sachertorte, a rich, beautiful Austrian layer cake that's one of the world's greatest chocolate desserts.

Chocolate and Peppermint Cake: Perfect Holiday Flavor Combination

I don't know who came up with the delectable combination of chocolate and peppermint, but it certainly is a holiday favorite. You can find it in candies, cookies and cakes. I have made a chocolate peppermint molten cake for years, but when I tried this recipe by acclaimed author Elinor Klivans I was hooked. This can be your go-to dessert for any holiday fete

Best Cut-Out Sugar Cookies

There are a few recipes that I turn to every holiday season, and this is one of them. This is a workhorse of a cookie recipe. Why? Well, it has everything you need for good cut-out sugar cookies

Cocoa Molasses Toffee

Old-fashioned candies, sweet and strong, are my favorites. Toffee, caramels, divinity -- they all show up in the Christmas packages I give out. Here's a new favorite with an old flavor: molasses

In Praise of Christmas: Peppermint Pie

The desserts of Christmas are divine, and they are true holiday recipes, the definition of which is that you would not be caught dead eating them at any other time of the year. It wouldn't be Christmas without something like gingerbread, or a Yule log, or a plum pudding with hard sauce, or the following Peppermint Pie recipe

French Christmas Classic Recipe: Nutella Tartine

Two classic Christmas recipes from Dorie Greenspan's 'Around My French Table' cookbook

 

Ganache Bourbon Balls

Edible Gift Idea: Coconut Ganache Bourbon Balls

During the holiday season, every good Southerner knows it's best to be prepared with an arsenal of hostess gifts. And what better way to get any party started than with bourbon? Chocolate ganache covered bourbon balls, that is.

Edible Gift Idea: Homemade Cocktail Mixers

What happens when you combine the flavors of roasted cranberries with fragrant cloves and rich brown sugar with clementines? A festive homemade gift to inspire the cocktail lover in your life. These holiday inspired cocktail mixers are fun, flavorful, a bit unexpected and begging for a chance to toast 'Salud!' with loved ones

Edible Gift Idea: The Best Chai Tea Mix

Chai tea mix is one of best gifts for the holidays, especially if it's given with a hand-thrown mug and one of those long, involved novels that are best read in January. (Armchair optional.) It's also great to keep a few batches on hand as hostess or last-minute gifts.

Skip the Eggnog: These Holiday Foods Are Good For You

It's hard to avoid indulging during the holidays. But do you have to? Actually, holiday foods aren't all bad. Excluding, say, eggnog, fried latkes, and other calorie-laden treats, some things that could land on your plate this season are in fact healthy. Here's a sampling

Pecan and Walnut Bread

Everybody needs a good loaf of bread for the holiday season. You can use my pecan and walnut bread recipe in so many ways. Slice it thinly and toast it to serve with cheeses before or after a meal or as part of a buffet. Cut slightly thicker slices to toast for breakfast, served with butter and jam. Make it into sandwiches. Cube leftover, slightly stale loaves to use in stuffings

Cookbook Gifts for the Holidays: A Few of My Favorites

Every year, hundreds of food books and cookbooks pass by my desk. I always look forward to sharing my favorites during the holiday gift shopping madness. I know how tough it can be to search out that perfect present for the cook on your list. Here are a few of my picks for various types of cooks

The Fannie Farmer Cookbook

There comes an awe-struck moment in every modern, self-taught chef's life when he or she discovers 'The Fannie Farmer Cookbook.' In our age we take cookbooks for granted, along with the precise measurements and scientific and technical explanations they impart. But Farmer's tome was a pioneer of the genre. First published in 1896, it's currently in its 13th edition

Enjoy the Holidays Without Piling on the Pounds

'Tis the season of decadent foods, overeating and weight gain. Many folks will put on anywhere from three to seven pounds in December alone. Just why is it that the holidays always seem to interfere with our best eating intentions? Rather than allowing food to ruin the festivities, these simple tips can help you maintain control of your diet and health

Oils Make Intriguing Additions to Your Pantry

Much like you select quality fruits, vegetables, meats and cheeses, selecting the right oil can make or break a recipe as well as your health. But with so many oils to choose from, knowing which one to use for each recipe is key. Here's a culinary guide to selected specialty oils

The Kitchen Survival Kit

Even if you don't cook, and especially if you only shop for real food once a month, there are a handful of emergency supplies that you should keep in your kitchen at all times. With these 10 things, you will always be able to make yourself something decent to eat for breakfast, lunch or dinner

Holiday Food That Makes You Sick

Luckily, there are a few simple safe-cooking precautions that will keep your friends and family safe and healthy this holiday season. Barbara Kowalcyk, director of food safety at The Center for Foodborne Illness Research & Prevention in Grove City, Pa., shares her tips to help prevent both food poisoning and germ-sharing

Celebrate the Season of Pomegranates: Pomegranate Yogurt Dip Recipe

The distinct season of pomegranates runs from October to January. The tangy, bright red seed sacs add crunch and zest sprinkled on desserts, salads or added to soups. Pomegranates can also be used in this Pomegranate Yogurt Dip recipe

Sage and White Cheddar Biscuits

Savory biscuits balance all the holiday sweets at brunch and breakfast -- and these happen to have whole-grain to boot. Since butter is essential to any good-quality biscuit, keep fat content reasonable by using reduced- or low-fat versions of the other ingredients, namely cheddar cheese and buttermilk

Shirley's Touch of Grace Buttermilk Biscuits

As a little girl, I followed my grandmother around the kitchen while she made the lightest, most wonderful biscuits in the world. I did everything the same. But, my biscuits always turned out a dry, mealy mess. It took me 20 years to figure out what my grandmother was doing that I missed

Foods to Stock for Winter

As the temperature drops and I realize the winter blues are coming my way, I begin to think about stocking my pantry for the cold months ahead. I hate the cold, and I want to make as few trips to the grocery store as possible. To stock your pantry right, first consider what dishes your family enjoys in the cold weather

 

Sage Biscuits

Sage Biscuits

Although sage isn't a traditional biscuit ingredient, it's appropriate when you want a bread to pair with turkey. Imagine the robust flavor of turkey stuffing; you'll get a hint of that in the biscuit recipe that follows.

 

Gingerbread Muffins

Twice Ginger Gingerbread Muffins

Some foods seem to be universal favorites, beloved by young and old alike. Gingerbread certainly falls into this category. Served warm or at room temperature, unadorned or drizzled with a sauce, this dark, moist bread is always a temptation. I plan to serve the following Twice Ginger Gingerbread Muffins as dessert for a family dinner

Easy Homemade Chunky Applesauce Recipe

Take advantage of peak apple season and make homemade applesauce. In less than 45 minutes, you’ll be enjoying fiber- and antioxidant-rich applesauce with no added fat or sugar.

Spiced Pear-Walnut Muffins Recipe

Decadent fruit-and-nut-filled muffins, with 60 percent whole grain and 4 grams of fiber, are perfect for breakfast or a nutrient-rich snack. Pears -- use any variety in these muffins -- contain cholesterol-lowering soluble fiber and anti-aging antioxidants. Heart-healthy walnuts contain omega-3 fats

Eat Summer Food All Year Long

If you rush out to the farmers' market or grocery store right now, you may still be able to buy summer squash for $1.25 a pound. Wait another month or two and you'll be shelling out nearly twice that amount until next summer rolls around. So how can you can you continue to enjoy your favorite summer foods at their low summer prices?

Corn Biscuits with Hot-Sweet Butter Sauce

The following corn biscuits are appealing when served plain and a wonder of rich flavor when topped with a drizzle of honey-chili butter.

No-Knead Sweet Potato Dinner Roll

In my opinion, the dinner table isn't complete without a big basket of fluffy dinner rolls. These rolls get a very mild sweetness from the mashed sweet potatoes

 

Popcorn That Pops

Popcorn That Pops

Whether you're looking for a quick afternoon snack or packing for a weekend camping trip, popcorn has you covered. Fresh homemade popcorn is as light as air and satisfyingly crunchy. Tossed with some melted butter and sprinkled with salt, it becomes an irresistible treat. Here's how to make popcorn with flavors that really pop

Taste the Bounty of Summer All Winter Long with Home-Canned Tomatoes

Since we adhered fairly strictly to a typical southern Italian diet, one of the mainstays of our kitchen was tomatoes, used in many sauces for pasta, meat and vegetables. Since canned foods were frowned upon by serious cooks like my grandmother back in the 1950s, she put up hundreds of jars of whole tomatoes and tomato puree every summer

Spice It up

One secret to turning on a bright smile is to make your palate happy. So, turn up the flavor! Luckily, science now tells us that certain flavors are good for us. I mean really good for us. I'm talking about spices. Sprinkle on some good-for-you palate pleasure with three of my fave spices

Fermented Foods Are Making a Comeback

Empirical research has now identified a long list of health conditions that can benefit from the regular consumption of fermented food, including colitis, constipation, diarrhea, gas, reflux and heartburn. Many, also, believe that the benefits reach far beyond digestive disorders. Recent studies have indicated links between probiotics and autism, obesity, cancer, and other health concerns

Tomatoes with Cornbread and Chorizo Stuffing

The following Tomatoes with Cornbread and Chorizo Stuffing recipe shows that the tomato can be a star attraction. For this colorful and flavorful dish, large summer tomatoes are scooped out, filled with a homemade cornbread and chorizo stuffing, and then baked

Summer Punches: Strawberry Lemonade, Spiced Tea and Brandywine

When the temperature soars, a bowl of punch is a cool hit. Punch is best made before guests arrive. Stick it in the fridge and then chill out yourself, knowing that summer never really ends when a real cool drink is on the table. Remember to allow at least one or two cups of punch per quest; it goes fast on hot summer days. Here's a few punch recipes worth trying

The Rare Charm of Home-Made Muffins

Whether cooking an authentic English muffin or baking an Americanized version, homemade muffins are one of the simplest, most delectable offerings to come out of the kitchen. Here's three home-made muffins recipes worth trying -- Red Currant Muffins, Cinnamon-Raisin English Muffins and Zucchini-Sultana Muffins

Make-your-own Trail Mix

Making your own trail mix means that picky eaters can enjoy -- without worrying about plucking out the icky bits. This version is chock-full of antioxidants, fiber and even a bit of chocolate from the dried plums.

Edible Yogurt Bowl

This tropical snack features a waffle cone bowl filled with fruit and yogurt instead of ice cream

 

Plum and Ginger Muffins

Plum and Ginger Muffins

Whenever you have more fruit lovers than available fruit, is to make a small batch of muffins. A modest amount of fruit is usually enough to showcase its charms and stretch its flavor. Start with the basic recipe that follows

Quick Summer Breads Recipes

Quick breads -- old-fashioned, fast rising breads that get their leavening by baking powder or soda rather than yeast -- are a baker's delight, especially in summer when the livin' is easy and farm stands and markets are overflowing with prime ingredients like seasonal berries, fruits and vegetables. Here's three wonderful summer bread recipes

How the Portuguese Conquered the World's Palate

What would global cuisine be without Portugal? Probably pretty dull. From spices and fortified wines to seafood and various confections, this country on the southwest tip of Europe has introduced the world to a bevy of flavors. Here's three delightful Portuguese Recipes worth trying - Pasteis de natas, Clams a Bulhao Pato and Salt cod and potato casserole

 

The Herb Brush: A Great BBQ Tool

The Herb Brush: A Great BBQ Tool

I'll be using one of my favorite grilling tools, a do-it-yourself herb brush I use to baste the meat while it cooks. Besides looking cool, it lets you slowly, steadily and subtly layer on the aromatic oils in those herbs, while keeping the meat moist. Here's how you can make your own

Get the Most Money out of Grilling

Grilling is one of summer's great pleasures, and there are plenty of reasons to indulge (besides the food). And if you shop well, you can expand your culinary repertoire without blowing your budget. Here, some things to think about before you head to market and fire up the grill

Radishes, Spring's Favorite Vegetable
Sharon Palmer, R.D.

Radishes were first grown thousands of years ago in ancient China, Egypt and Greece. This spicy, colorful vegetable soon conquered the world, becoming beloved in many cultures -- from Japan to France. Part of the Brassica family (also known as the mustard or cabbage family), radishes (Raphanus sativus) are edible roots that come in an astonishing variety of colors, shapes and sizes

 

Sangria Popsicles

Grown Up Popsicles with Grown Up Tastes

Who says kids get dibs on all the good treats' As adults, we love popsicles just as much as we did when we were younger. The only difference is that now our tastes have evolved beyond strawberry and grape! Cocktails are great inspiration for grown up popsicles. The same combinations of fruit juices, syrups and liquors in our favorite drinks translate remarkably well into frozen form

Whole-wheat Corn Muffins

These light whole-grain muffins contain far less fat than packaged muffins. They're perfect for starting the day off right -- or keeping them tucked away in the freezer for a handy, healthy snack

6 Shortcuts for 6 Summer Recipes

You don't want to be stuck in a steamy kitchen on a hot summer day. So how can you get dinner on the patio table faster? With just a little advanced planning and know-how, you can show up in the kitchen and pull it off. Here are tips for slashing your cooking time on six all-American summer foods

 

Eggs in a Nest

Eggs in a Nest Recipe

For the most basic dish, you'll need four eggs and some seasonings. But the more you enhance the dish, the more you'll enjoy it. Start with herbs, a natural pairing with eggs. Add a snip of fresh-from-the garden chives, tarragon or fresh thyme. Cheese can also make an appetizing appearance. Select a cheese with robust flavor like the shredded Parmesan featured in this Eggs in a Nest recipe

 

Corn-Leek Cakes

Corn-Leek Cakes with Caviar, Smoked Salmon and Creme Fraiche

Corn pancakes with caviar and smoked salmon are an elegant beginning to a celebratory meal. Select sweet corn, either white, bright yellow or a combination of the two varieties. Use a fine cornmeal to give the cakes a tender texture. The sweet, slightly caramelized leeks add a depth of flavor that combines beautifully with the corn

Oatmeal Orange Mini Muffins

This easy mini-muffin recipe also works great when making regular-size muffins. Just divide batter between 12 standard-size muffin tins. Try toasting the walnuts to bring out more flavor. You'll be able to use a smaller amount while still getting great nutty flavor

Hazelnut Pesto with Garlic Scapes

My favorite way to use fresh scapes is in garlic pesto, in which minced scapes are substituted for basil. The following recipe compliments of Pittsburgh chef Brandy Stewart

Top 5 Ways to Never Waste Food Again

Even in this economy, the average American family of four wastes about 15 percent of the food they buy, losing about $600 a year. Many of us don't even realize how much we squander. When people learn how much of their groceries ends up in the bin, they're usually shocked. Ready to call a halt to all this waste? Make a list before you shop, stick to it and follow these quick tips at home

Spring for the Season's Fruit

As the days grow longer and warmer, thoughts turn to spring and all the sweet, succulent fruit that it brings. From plump cactus pears to stalky rhubarb, produce stands come alive with the bounty of the season. The following recipes -- Chicken, Apricot and Almond Tagine; Lemon-Rhubarb-Strawberry Trifle; and Pineapple Sorbet -- bring out the best in summer fruits.

 

Incredible Egg Dishes

Southwestern Skillet Scramble and Lentil Stew With Poached Eggs

It doesn't matter if you're poaching, scrambling or frying: the lower the heat and the slower the cooking, the more creamy and custard-like your eggs will be. Here's two incredible egg dishes worth adding to your menu at home -- Southwestern Skillet Scramble and Lentil Stew With Poached Eggs

Secrets to Speed Cooking

With a couple of insider strategies and some helpful kitchen tools, you can whip up delicious, nutritious fare in half the time it's taken you until now. Here's a four-pronged approach that can help you crank out great meals in no time

The Leafy Herbs of Spring and What to Do With Them

As more consumers head to farmer's markets or join community-supported agriculture organizations to supply their produce needs, many find themselves confounded as to what to do with the bounty on offer. Early in the season, herbs are prominent. Here is some background on some of the more obscure examples you may run across

Coriander / Cilantro: Herbs Savored Round the World

The French consider coriander to be Moroccan, the British used to call it Chinese parsley, and Americans associate it with Mexican cuisine. The coriander plant gives us two ingredients in one. In the U.S. its green sprigs are most often marketed by their Spanish name, cilantro, while coriander refers to the seeds. Here's four recipes that put cilantro / coriander to best use

To Market The Farmers Market

It's the perfect time to pack up the kids and head to where farmers busily haul out their harvest. It's a place where flaming red tomatoes tumble from crates, peppery basil perfumes the air and homemade jams and jellies beckon. Forget the two-hour trek to the country farm stand; we're talking about your local farmers market. To make the most of your trip, try these suggestions

Veggielicous Brunch Casserole

The veggies in this cheesy casserole make it rich in nutrients. The cheese gives it kid-friendly flavor. And the eggs contain high-quality protein to fuel your family for the whole day.

Kaiserschmarrn: Viennese Mother's Day Brunch

If Mom has a sweet tooth and likes having you cook her something special for Mothers Day, then try Kaiserschmarrn, a treat from the glorious past of the Austrian Empire.

Pepper-spiced Pecans and Almonds

What could be better than a crunchy snack filled with disease-fighting antioxidants? The ancho and chipotle chili peppers are a surprising source of antioxidants from the capsaicin, the compound that gives chilies their heat. Plus, both almonds and pecans are rich in heart-health properties and antioxidants.

Secrets to Money-saving Meals

If you're like most people these days, you're watching what you spend and cutting back on unnecessary expenses, like dinners out. Still, the more you eat at home, the higher your supermarket bills are -- and they can skyrocket depending on what you cook. So how do you reduce food costs without spoiling your appetite? Here are four easy, tasty ways to save money while still eating what you love

Better Supermarket Shortcut Meals

Want better flavor without losing the convenience of your favorite store-bought meals and sauces? No problem! With a little experimentation, these easy store-bought shortcuts can become tasty and satisfying meals.

Cheddar and Cherry Muffins Recipe

The cheddar and cherry muffin recipe that follows is adapted from Mary Cech's book 'Savory Baking'. Serve these for lunch along with soup or a salad.

The Perfect Potluck

Hosting a potluck dinner, for instance, lets you be creative about making it fun and keeping it reasonable. Whether it's a one-off or a regular event, try adding a theme to your potluck party. It gives guests a good starting point for deciding what to bring and builds in a conversation starter. Here are a few jumping-off points

Easter Recipe - Make Perfect Scrambled Eggs for Easter Brunch

The recipe I share here offers just one example of that idea with a combination perfect for a springtime brunch: diced tomato and the medley of chopped fresh parsley, chervil, chives, and tarragon that the French refer to as fines herbes . Make these as the centerpiece of your Easter Sunday brunch, cooking them when everyone is ready to eat, and your guests will be delighted.

Easter Recipes - Easter Dinner for Two Or Twenty

No matter how many people are gathered around your table this Easter, you want a dinner that will fit the occasion. Lamb chops are guaranteed to make the meal feel fancy, and they have the bonus advantage of being incredibly easy to make. Lamb is also a classic choice for Easter and can make a refreshing change from the glazed ham most of us have come to expect!

Easter Recipes - Pastiera Napoletana Classic Taste of Easter in Southern Italy

Easter and its traditional foods are replete with references to rebirth of all kinds, commemorating Christ's resurrection. In much of Italy, wheat is a potent symbol that has become linked with Easter. So it should come as no surprise that Pastiera Napoletana -- a pie filled with wheat berries -- is an almost obligatory part of the Easter menu in most of southern Italy

Passover Recipes - Sweet Treat on the Seder Plate

What gets most of the attention on the Seder plate is the sweet charoset. Charoset is a symbol of the mortar that the Jewish slaves used. It is one dish that kids and adults alike look forward to each year for its sweet nutty goodness. Charoset is a sweet relish of fruit and nuts. Watch how fast this Apple and Toasted Walnut Charoset disappears off the Seder plate

Passover Recipes - Showcase Spring Vegetables in Seder Side Dishes

A challenge every cook faces during the eight days of Passover is how to make meals satisfying while avoiding the list of foods forbidden. One of the best ways is to include generous helpings of cooked vegetables. Featuring an array of vegetables at the Seder highlights Passover as a celebration of spring, while ensuring that the menu is colorful and wholesome

Passover Recipe - Pressure Cooker Braised Beef Shanks

For many years now one of my most popular Passover main courses has been braised beef short ribs, a tough, gelatinous cut that becomes incredibly flavorful and tender with long, slow braising. The same holds true for shank, one of the most delicious cuts of beef you can imagine, and I'm happy to share with you a favorite recipe for it here.

Curry Recipes: History of Truly Global Cuisine

To most Americans, curry is synonymous with the spicy, yellowish stew-like dish we like to order at Indian restaurants. Or we associate it with the aromatic powder we pull out the spice cabinet when we get the yen to attempt an exotic dish in the kitchen. Yet these images do little justice to the long history, endless variety and global reach of curried dishes including these three recipes

Bring out Your Inner Chef

Here's some food for thought: If you're cooking for everyone else all the time, take yourself off the back burner for a minute and think about pleasing yourself when you cook. These fun ideas will help you love what you make and make what you love

This Spring Make Time for Pantry Makeover

It's never too late for health-related resolutions. These five simple tips can help to jumpstart your efforts and give you a fresh start

 

Scones Recipe

Scones with Currants Recipe

Scones fit into the easy-baking repertoire. Scones can be sweet or savory and couldn't be simpler to prepare. The best way to describe them is that they resemble a rustic-looking biscuit. They are meant to be golden brown on top and flaky in the center.

Best Meals for Men Who Hate to Cook

Most men grow up without being encouraged to cook, and in adulthood they quickly find someone else to do it for them, notes Dave Joachim, author of more than 30 cookbooks. This is a shame, really, because cooking is a valuable skill. Dave Joachim shares valuable insight in this article

Cold Weather Pesto, a Cozy Condiment for Your Kitchen

This Winter Pesto is a delightful seasonal riff of the traditional sauce and can be made a few days ahead. Toss out the basil and take advantage of what's in season now: fresh dill, mint, chives and parsley.

 

Basler Kaeswaie

Basler Kaeswaie: Cheese-filled Tart Recipe for Swiss-Style Carnival

After eating my way through Basel's Fasnacht last year, I came up with this cheese-filled tart Basler Kaeswaie recipe drawing on information from my friend Erika Lieben, a native and part-time resident of Basel, as well as on the recipe in the cookbook "Basler Kochschule" (Friedrich Reinhart Verlag) by Amalie Schneider-Schloeth

Home-Baked Pitas: Easier and More Delicious Than You Think

Pita bread is a perfect solution - it mixes up quickly and is ready to be baked about an hour afterwards. Best of all you can invite friends over for pita sandwiches and let them bake the bread while you gather the fillings. When they see those little flat disks of dough puff they'll think you're a magician. Not bad for stirring some water, oil, yeast and salt into flour.

Split Peas Recipes with Pizzazz
Faye Levy

If you're like most Americans, you probably don't think of split peas as an exciting food, having too often faced a bland, muddy-green bowl of soup. You may, however, be aware of the many nutritional benefits of split peas. Here's three recipes that showcase interesting and delicious uses for split peas

Spicy Hot Chocolate

After an exhilarating day on the ski slopes or a tough workout freeing the sidewalk of snow, what better reward is there than a mug of steaming, frothy hot chocolate?

Add Some Vegetarian Dishes to Your Feasts & Diet

There are over 7 million vegetarians in America, according to a Vegetarian Times pools. It has also been reported that following a vegetarian lifestyle lowers your risk of developing many types of cancer, but it can mean a bit of sidestepping around the dinner table. Here's a set of interesting Vegetarian recipes

 

Lentils & Rice with Pancetta

Lentils and Rice with Pancetta

If you usually use all-American bacon, give pancetta a try. This Italian salt and spice cured pork product has a more complex flavor than bacon, and with less fatty taste. It's excellent in the following recipe of lentils and rice.

 

Holiday Entertaining Done Easy: An Array of Delectable Recipes

The best way to entertain during the hectic holiday season is to take it easy. Offer an array of delectable dishes that you can pull together without a lot of fuss and bother, so that you can enjoy the festive affair as much as your guests. 7 Delectable recipes from appetizers all the way thru to dessert.

 

Swiss Christmas Cookies

Swiss Christmas Cookies: Pretty as a Picture Anisbroetli (Swiss Anise Cookies)

Cookie baking traditions all over the world are linked to holidays, none more than Christmas. My best-loved of all are the Swiss Anisbroetli (Swiss Anise) Cookies

How to Avoid Weight Gain During the Holidays

'Tis the season of decadent foods, overeating and weight gain. Many folks will put on anywhere from three to seven pounds in December alone. Why is it the holidays always seem to interfere with our best eating intentions? Rather than allowing food to ruin the festivities, these simple tips can help you maintain control of your diet and health

Festive Tart for Holiday Celebrations: Raspberry Linzer Torte

Whenever I think of the holiday season, the first memory that comes to my mind is the beautiful aromas that filled our kitchen when my mother started baking. From early December, she was busy making all sorts of treats, including crumbly vanilla crescents, delicate sponge balls, and feather-light meringues. But my favorite sweet holiday treats were always her Linzer tortes.

Warm Mulled Cider

Office parties, trim-the-tree fetes, caroling nights, friends' gift exchanges ... there are countless occasions for entertaining once December arrives. Most of us, though, find ourselves with little time to undertake anything but the simplest of recipes during this hectic season. At our house warm mulled cider is a holiday staple. It takes only minutes to prepare

2 Food Network Recipes

A pair of wonderful recipes courtesy of Claire Robinson 'Five Ingredient Fix' host on the Food Network

Time to Go Nuts

As soon as the markets start featuring nuts in their shells, many cooks begin planning their holiday baking. Yet nuts are equally useful on the savory side of the menu. Because they have protein, they are satisfying and they play sensational roles in salads, vegetable dishes, rice and pasta.

Get a Head Start on Your Holiday Fruitcake

Every year, I promise myself that I'll get organized in advance of Christmas. Finally living up to my promise, I'm making several Macao Christmas Cakes putting them away in rum-soaked cheesecloth a month or so before the big day.

Holiday Cookbook Review: Warm Bread and Honey Cake

Among the latest crop of new baking books, the hands-down winner is undoubtedly 'Warm Bread and Honey Cake, Home Baking from Around the World,' by Gaitri Pagrach-Chandra

The Beauty of Brown Butter

Brown butter sauce is popular with cooks not only for its versatility but also because it is so simple to prepare. All you need is a pan, a burner and unsalted butter. Once the sauce is finished, it can be used immediately or stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Whether added to a dessert or dressing up an entree or side, brown butter bestows a dash of nuttiness and color to a wealth of foods including the following three recipes

Pear, Ginger and Pecan Muffins

Pear, Ginger and Pecan Muffins

Stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and cinnamon in a large bowl. Beat together egg, milk and melted butter in a small bowl; pour over flour mixture. Stir just to mix ingredients. Stir in pear, ginger and pecans and walla your well on your way to making Pear, Ginger and Pecan Muffins.

 

Mai Tai

Royal Hawaiian Scratch Mai Tai

No one knows for sure who produced the first Mai Tai. The Mai Tai's creator may still be dubious but there is little debate on the deliciousness of the drink itself. Don the Beachcomber and Trader Vic each alleged to be the inventor of the colorful rum cocktail. Both were creating rum cocktails using similar ingredients, but Victor Bergeron claims he created the drink for his Tahitian friends in his Oakland Trader Vic's restaurant.

The Endlessly Improvisable Bloody Mary: Not Just for Brunch Anymore

Ask a hundred people for their Bloody Mary recipe, and you will get a hundred variations -- from spicy to sweet to herbaceous to smoky. That's because vodka and tomato juice can stand up to a lot of experimentation. The Bloody Mary remains the ultimate improvisational drink. So feel free to play around. Here are a few tips to get you started

Summertime Mexican Punch with Tequila

Summer poolside parties and backyard cookouts can be ideal occasions to dust off the punch bowl -- if you stick to a few simple rules. Choose lighter spirits as your base, let ripe summer fruit to do all the flavor work, and don't overly sweeten your warm-weather potions.

Mocktails: Making Memorable Non-Alcoholic Drinks

You've hosted dozens of summer barbecues without giving the non-alcoholic beverages a second thought. However, serving powdered lemonade again this year suddenly sounds like a bad idea. The good news is making memorable mocktails -- cocktails without the power -- is even easier than shaking up spiked drinks. Without the spirit, you're dealing with one less flavor wild card. It's easier still if you approach them as gussied up versions of lemon and limeade.

 

EGGS-ACTLY

Many times, eggs are exactly the what-to-fix answer -- not just for breakfast. Have you ever noticed at a buffet that the first platter to empty is the deviled eggs? I love deviled eggs--especially creamy deviled eggs with just a hint of sweetness from finely minced shallots

The Pleasures of Grilling Corn

To me, corn speaks of summer more eloquently than just about any other vegetable, golden like the sun and bursting with the season's sweetness. When corn is at its peak, as it is right now, there's no end to the ways you can use it.

Carrot Zucchini Muffins

Prepare a batch of these tasty high fiber muffins to have on hand for a quick and easy start to your day.

Fiery Jerk: A Taste of Jamaica Jerk Barbecue Recipes

The barbecue season is now in full swing, and this is the time of year I fire up the bracing barbecue favored in beautiful Jamaica, known as jerk. on a recent visit to Jamaica I finally realized that jerk shares this quality with American barbecue: There are regional influences and personal preferences. Here are two Jamaican Jerk-Style Barbecue Recipes

Cherry Almond Scones

Whether for breakfast or a snack, these 100 percent whole-grain scones are packed with wholesome goodness. Even better: They're a snap to make.

Goodness Gracious Greens Recipes

Today supermarkets and farmers markets almost everywhere offer collards, mustard greens, turnips, kale, dandelion, spinach, chard, broccoli raab and bok choy. Then savor the goodness. Here are favorite recipes, along with tips on buying, washing and trimming greens for the pot.

Summer Berries: Cooking With Just One Pint Dessert Recipes

One solution is to make scaled-down versions of these classic summer dessert recipes. Individually baked berry cobblers and parfaits served in wine glasses give a taste of the season without breaking the budget or feeling overwhelming to prepare.

Fresh Meals for Spring Recipes

The pickings at your local farmer's market might remain a bit slim for another few weeks, but fresh produce has finally begun to trickle in! Beyond being the first sign of good things to come, these spring vegetables can be cherished in their own right for the bright flavors they bring to our winter-weary tables.

Four Recipes: Spring Green Salad of Roasted Asparagus, Prosciutto and Fried Egg; Flatbread with New Potatoes, Ramps & Asiago; Pizza Dough; and Rhubarb Granita.

Fun with Phyllo: Chicken-Almond Bisteeya, Open-Faced Apple Pies & Cherry Choclava Recipes

Whether you're searching for exotic appetizers or just a lighter alternative to standard dessert crusts and use phyllo. Layered into stacks, this tissue-thin dough adds a bit of zest to commonplace fruit pies and a hearty crunch to vegetable, meat and cheese snacks.

 

Make Your Own Yogurt

Homemade yogurt is an essential building block for so many other healthy, easy-to-digest recipes. Making yogurt from scratch allows you to control not only its fat content, but also its fermentation time.

Afternoon Tea Revival Recipes

Who among us doesn't love a cup of tea, especially when it's part of a formal afternoon tea, that lovely tradition where a fondness for tea and a penchant for sweets comes together most agreeably around 4 o'clock each afternoon. While we may be more of a nation of coffee drinkers these days, the ritual of afternoon tea is still alive and well

Buttermilk Biscuits Recipe

Whatever your age, you know you want to make Mom happy on Mother's Day. Something freshly baked is a good start. Before baking, the biscuits chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour, which lets the dough relax a bit for more tender results.

Rye Toasting Bread with Cherries and Pumpkin Seeds

Try the following Fruity Rye Bread recipe out with any mixture of seeds, chopped nuts or dried fruit. Just promise me you'll toast it. A liberal application of butter is also close to essential